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Map No. I . 



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$ew yo re¬ 

state LAND SDRYEY. 

VERPLANCK COLVIN, 
Superintendent. 

SKETCH 

SHOWING THE LOCATION 

OF THE 

GREAT LAND PATENTS 

1886 . Y* , 


CAN A D 


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32 













































































































































































STATE OF NEW YORK. 


REPORT ON THE PROGRESS 

OF THE 


Adirondack State Land Survey 


TO THE YEAR 


1886 . 

WITH AN 

HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE WORK 

AND 

TABLE OE ELEVATIONS. 


PLATES .AJSTD MAPS. 



VERPLANCK COLVIN, 

SUPERINTENDENT OF SURVEYS. 


ALBANY: 

WEED, PARSONS AND COMPANY, PRINTERS, 

1886. 









Entered according to act of Congress in tbe year one thousand eight hundred and 

eighty- six, 

In the office of the Librarian of Congress 
f All rights reserved ] 







STATE OF NEW YORK. 


No. 80. 


IN ASSEMBLY, 

March 5, 1886. 


REPORT 

OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF STATE LAND SURVEY. 

STATE OF NEW YORK: 

Office of State Land Survey, ) 
Albany, March 4, 1886. j 

To the Honorable James W. Husted, Speaker of the Assembly: 

Sir — In accordance with law, I have the honor to submit the 
accompanying report to the Legislature, relative to the surveys of 
the public lands in the counties of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, 
Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Saratoga, St. Lawrence and Warren. 

Very respectfully yours, 

VERPLANCK COLVIN, 

Superintenden t. 






REPORT 


ON THE PROGRESS OF THE SURVEY OF THE STATE 

LANDS. 


To the Honorable the Legislature of the State of New York i 

The surveys now being carried on by this department are con* 
ducted in conformity with the provisions of chapter 499 of the Laws 
of 1883. This law directs the Superintendent of the Adirondack 
Survey to make surveys, showing the location and area of all the 
several detached portions or parcels of State land in the counties of 
Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Sara¬ 
toga, St. Lawrence and Warren, and to connect the same with the 
surveys of the interior, and to show upon a map or maps the posi¬ 
tion of such lands. 

The law further directs (section 2, chapter 499, Laws of 1883) 
that the methods of survey shall be in accordance with those in use 
on the Adirondack Survey, and that copies of the maps relating to 
the State lands shall, upon their completion, be filed in the offices of 
the Comptroller and State Engineer and Surveyor. 

The appropriation made in 1883 for both the field and office work 
was $15,000, and proved to be inadequate for the accomplishment of 
all the work desired, in consequence of the great extent of country 
to be covered, and the remarkable complications and difficulties that 
were found to exist in regard to the boundary lines of the lands to 
which the State held title. 

Difficulties Encountered. 

The State lands in the ten counties mentioned in the law of 1883 
were found to amount to nearly 750,000 acres. These lands were, 
to a great extent, bought in by the State authorities at tax sales, 
and have become portions of the public domain on account of the 



(} Report of Verplanck Colvin - 

failure of the owners to redeem them by the payment of the arrears 

of tclXCS 

The State ownership has now, after repeated notifications, extend¬ 
ing over years, been confirmed by law. 

The legal title to the lands being thus securely vested in the 
"State, the determination of the actual location of each of the sepa¬ 
rate tracts, pieces or parcels of land in the counties mentioned is, 
by the law, ordered to be made by means of proper surveys to be 
conducted by this department. 

The marking out and location by survey of four thousand separate 
parcels of land, scattered over ten of the largest counties of the 
State, and embracing three-quarters of a million of acies, is an un¬ 
dertaking of the greatest magnitude. 

When it is considered that in recent times these lands have more 
than quadrupled in value; that they contain nearly all the forest 
territory remaining in the possession of the State, and aie believed 
to include deposits of valuable ore, inasmuch as lands in the same 
vicinity, once the property of the State, are now the location of 
prosperous mines, valued at millions of dollars ; the importance of 
the trust imposed, the care required, and the difficulties encountered 
in the execution of these surveys will be to some extent understood. 

Those difficulties which arise in the actual field-work of the sur¬ 
vey, great as they are, are preceded by the even greater difficulties 
attendant upon the determination of what surveys are needed, and 
what data exist on which to base the measurements. 

Generally, the first data to be consulted in identifying the prop¬ 
erty are the scant and frequently defective memoranda contained in 
the recorded deeds conveying the title of the property to the pur¬ 
chasers, who permitted it to pass to the State by their default in 
taxes. These peculiar land titles are very frequently complicated 
by repeated tax sales. At different times purchases have been made 
by various parties unfamiliar with the lands, who subsequently find¬ 
ing the uncertainty of the ownership, or the unavailability of the 
lands for agricultural use, or impediments preventing lumbering, 
and the like difficulties, have allowed the lands to be again sold by 
the State ; the same process recurring until, by unrecorded and un¬ 
mapped subdivisions, and repeated conveyances and sales, it becomes, 
in many instances, extremely difficult to ascertain what is the true 
description of the property. 

When there are no public records of the original land surveys, 
and the records of the private surveys have been lost, or are not 


ok State Lakd Survey. 


7 

/ 

obtainable, if any complications or disputes arise as to the true 
boundaries of the particular lot owned by the State, the work of the 
survey has, of necessity, to be based upon a careful, critical search 
of the land titles and descriptions of boundaries of adjacent property. 

Where legal controversies have arisen, or are pending in the 
courts, relative to such boundaries, the decisions have to be searched 
for, or, in some cases, awaited. The labor involved in these searches 
and the occasional delays, where the location of the boundary de¬ 
pends upon the decision of the courts, are entirely preliminary to 
the actual survey work, or the location, monumenting and marking 
of any boundary lines. 

A careful study has also to be made of all available records for 
descriptions of old reference points from which to begin the re¬ 
surveys. While there are numerous references to “ a stake ” or 
a “ heap of stones,” it has been found by experience in the field that 
the stakes have in most places entirely decayed and disappeared and 
the “ heaps” of stones are generally quite indistinguishable from 
other stones, scattered throughout the woods. A study of the field- 
notes of the ancient surveys has, therefore, to be made to ascertain 
whether any record is given of the distance of a township corner 
from some stream or lake shore; the intersection of some line with 
an unmistakable precipice or gorge; of records of offsets to equally 
prominent natural features of the country. When a sufficient num¬ 
ber of recognizable topographical features have thus been found in 
the old records, the field search for these starting points can be com¬ 
menced ; but the searches among the old records for such memo¬ 
randa are frequently of necessity extensive on account of the diffi¬ 
culty of ascertaining among what records such data may be found. 
This portion of the data has usually to be searched for among the 
old colonial records. Where the boundaries of tracts are described 
in the original surveys of each, a comparison of the records is made 
to see whether the distance from the starting point or corner along 
the line to the topographical feature — stream, lake, or cliff — is 
similarly described ; for, in the field searches, it is likely that the 
stream, lake, or cliff will be the first locality identified; so that by 
reversing the measurements the corner may, in turn, be re-found. 

If the description of the same boundary line in the different field- 
notes of the adjacent townships do not agree, a renewed study of the 
subject must be made, and if an absolutely irreconcilable difference 
be found, then the authority of the records has to be considered, 
their accuracy and the legal questions involved studied in order to 


8 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


ascertain which of the ancient surveys will be maintained by the 
existing laws of the State. 

In such cases much often depends upon the priority of the patents 
or the surveys, or the possession. This information is partially 
obtainable from the old records, and may in part be derived from 
oral testimony, the evidence of experts and others. 

After the conclusion of these preliminary investigations the field¬ 
work is begun by an examination of the localities where survey 
work is most needed at the time, to settle questions of ownership of 
property. The records of the topographical features are so scanty 
that the restoration of the lines has to proceed like a reconstruction, 
so that when one line, corner, or position has been finally identified 
by the evidence collected, then the next grant, or patent, or subdivis¬ 
ion, may be located in its turn by being built up, in accordance with 
the ancient field-notes, upon the basis of the lines of the first grant 
or patent identified. This is.not all the means of identification. 
When the field-work has actually begun, the reconstruction by the 
new surveys will ordinarily, if the preliminary investigations have 
been carefully made, be found to so closely follow the ancient sur¬ 
vey that the first random line run out will usually reveal a line 
of old marked trees, one of which being cut into, and the rings of 
annual growth counted, will identify the line by the age of the 
mark. These marks being consecutive along a given magnetic 

o o o o 

bearing, and all of the marks being of the same age, is—without 
dwelling further upon the field-work or entering into details — evi¬ 
dence of the identification of the ancient boundary. The actual 
re-survey is then begun, the sides of the lot or township are measured 
with steel ribbon, aligned by transit, the steel ribbon being kept 
taut by strong spring-balance handles held by the “ cliainmen ; ” the 
measurements being made perfectly horizontal by means of levels at¬ 
tached to the steel ribbon. 

This re-measurement of the lines is very precise but is further 
checked and tested by the triangulation. It is for this purpose, for 
the checking and combining of the separate sections of detail sur¬ 
veys into one system, that the signal stations have been erected 
upon the mountain summits throughout the region, and it is bv 
means of the trigonometrical measurements with the large theodolites 
that the different linear surveys are tested and connected with the 

in conformity with the law. 

The field work of triangulation is even more difficult of execution 
than that of the linear surveys owing to the inaccessibility of the 


on State Land Survey 


9 


stations and the alternate cloudiness and smokiness of the atmosphere 
preventing sights to other signals. Delays of two weeks in obtain¬ 
ing a single sight from signal to signal are frequently caused by 
storms and clouds, and from a month to six weeks’ stay is usually 
required at each signal station on a mountain peak to secure the 
needed observations. Yet the precise results of trigonometrical 
measurement are absolutely essential to the proving, connecting, 
testing and adjustment of all land survey and topographical work. 
Without the triangulation it would be impossible to tie the different 
surveys together so as to plat them in the construction of the maps. 

It is only by the processes thus indicated that a settlement of the 
disputed boundaries can be arrived at, the monumenting of corners 
and land lines accurately effected, and the data obtained for the 
preparation of exact maps of the region. 

All these divisions of the work are essential to the construction of 
the maps proposed, and are in conformity with the general require¬ 
ment of the law, which directs that the methods of survey shall be in 
accordance with those previously in use upon the Adirondack Sur¬ 
vey. What these methods have been are sufficiently explained by 
the publications and records of the survey. 

These explanations of the requirements of the law, and the 
methods adopted to secure the beneficial results desired, have been 
made in order to indicate the complications aud difficulties which 
intervene between the announcement of the necessity for a survey 
and the accomplishment of the work. 

Without some explanation the difficulties encountered could not 
be understood, the caution and research required would be unknown, 
and the great amount of time needed for these unavoidable prelimi¬ 
nary studies would not be comprehended. Even after these expla¬ 
nations it is likely that these difficulties will hardly be understood by 
those who have had no personal experience with this particular 
work. It is safe to say, that in no portion of the territories of a civil¬ 
ized state are such complications and such an accumulation of difficul¬ 
ties to be encountered in the execution of topographical and land sur¬ 
veys, as in the northern, or Adirondack, district of New York. The 
neglects or laches of a century are now required to be suddenly recti¬ 
fied. The unrecorded work of private surveys in many localities now 
demarks and limits the boundaries of the territories of the State; 
what was once deemed worthless has become valuable ; what is now 
deemed valueless may soon become of the greatest importance; and 
upon the accurate survey of barren aud inaccessible lands depends 
[Assem. Doc. No. 80.] 2 


10 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


the true location of the adjacent vast deposits of the purest magne¬ 
tite, and the ownership of the forests, whose timber furnishes the 
charcoal with the aid of which the finest qualities of iron and steel 
are now manufactured. 

Limits of the Work. 

It may, perhaps, now be thought that the extent of the work re¬ 
quired for the accurate mapping of the public lands has been 
explained. Some might assume, hastily, that the extent of the un¬ 
dertaking was fully known when the area of the public domain was 
shown to be three-quarters of a million acres, divided into 4,000 
separate parcels. Such persons might say the work to be done was 
the execution of 4,000 special surveys of the several separate lots or 
subdivisions, having an average area nearly equal to that of an ordi¬ 
nary farm of 200 acres; but accurate and permanently useful work 
requires a broader and more comprehensive view of the question. 

To settle the true location of each one of these separate subdivis¬ 
ions owned by the State, the position, dimensions, boundaries and 
old survey records — if any exist — of the larger lot or township, 
within which it is located, must be studied. Still further surveys 
are then found to be required. It is found necessary to ascertain 
the true location of the township in the great tract to which it be¬ 
longs; for it cannot be mapped unless its relationship to each and 
every other township in the larger tract be known. Invariably this 
work shows that the generally received ideas relative to the precise 
location of the townships are more or less erroneous. Townships 
which were supposed to corner at the same point arc in some cases 
found to have separate corners a short distance apart, although, per¬ 
haps, upon one of the supposed intersecting lines. Strips of own¬ 
erless land, called gores, are found to exist, at times, between town¬ 
ships, and the straight or right lines shown upon the maps as the 
boundaries of the allotments are found to be at times very irregular 
and governed by no mathematical rule. 

These irregularities in the lines of the allotments, or in any of 
the lines defining the boundaries of propertjq cannot and ought not 
to be changed. No principle of law can be better established than 
that which declares the boundaries of real estate to be limited and 
defined by the existing landmarks The decisions of the courts are 
explicit on this point, and the work of the surveyor engaged in re¬ 
storing the boundaries does not consist in laying out new lines, but 
in ascertaining by the most careful measurements what the real 
form and location of the ancient lines may be. 


on" State Land Survey. 


11 


The difficulty in satisfactorily executing this work of restoration 
is largely owing to the natural opposition existing in the human 
mind to a new view of an old question. It is, in this case, the dif¬ 
ference between what people have imagined the course of the'lines 
and the forms of the townships and allotments and their true courses 
and dimensions. The old maps show the lines as straight lines, and 
the townships usually rectangular. When these lines and forms 
come to be carefully surveyed by modern and more accurate methods; 
deflections are found in the lines ; the boundaries are shown to be 
convex or concave, or more or less irregular in line. In consequence 
of these irregularities, when a lot has to be located, its distance 
from the existing lines must be obtained, and not its theoretical 
position with regard to the old and supposititious rectangular form. 

The limits of the map work are not reached, however, even after 
the lot lines have been adjusted within the township. A hundred 
townships, each one in its own locality governed and controlled 
in regard to its position by the lines of the tracts—equally uncer¬ 
tain as to their true location and form — also require adjustment. 
These great tracts, being in their turn included within the limits of 
the huge “grants” or “ patents” or “ purchases ” are limited, re¬ 
stricted and controlled by the dimensions and marked lines of these 
original conveyances, of which the great tracts, towns, townships 
and allotments are only sub-divisions, which cannot in any way con¬ 
trol the boundaries or locations of the adjacent patents or grants. 

Yet when we come to prepare a map of any one of the ten coun¬ 
ties we find it made of a collection of surveys of these great tracts 
or patents or royal grants (or portions of them) whose boundaries 
are all more or less in doubt, so that, finally, the location of every 
county boundary, which is defined by any ancient survey line, is 
found to require an investigation and settlement of the boundary 
lines of each and every one of these grants or patents by re-survey 
in accordance with modern and improved methods. 

Unless all these details are attended to, error is sure to creep 
into some portion of the work and introduce an element of uncer¬ 
tainty where all should be made practically precise. 

The result of these investigations has proved, that for the prepara¬ 
tion of accurate maps of the public lands, surveys must be system¬ 
atically extended over the entire northern district of the State. 
The area of the ten counties mentioned in the law of 1883 is over 
14,000 square miles. The following table shows the area of each 
county. 



12 


Report of Verplaijck Colvin 


* 


Counties. Square miles. 

The county of Clinton contains. 1> 092 

The county of Essex contains. 1, 92(5 

The county of Franklin contains. 1, 718 

The county of Fulton contains. 544 

The county of Hamilton contains. 1, 745 

The county of Herkimer (north part) contains. 1,000 

The county of Lewis contains. 1,288 

The county of Saratoga contains . 862 

The county of St. Lawrence contains. 2, 880 

The county of Warren contains. 968 


Total area*. 14,023 


Ho systematic map, showing the true location of the subdivisions, 
can be made without a complete survey of the whole of this vast 
territory. The surveys of lots and lines must be connected and 
tested by trigonometrical measurements, the details of topography 
— of rivers and lakes, of elevations and depressions —must be tilled 
in with precision upon the maps of the cadastral work, the locations 
of roads and highways and of the settlements and villages which 
they connect, and all similar details requisite for an accurate knowl¬ 
edge of the topography of the country, must be accurately shown if 
these surveys are to possess permanent value. 

It must not be thought that this work is of such magnitude as to 
be beyond accomplishment. If sufficient means be provided, and 
the work regularly and systematically supported both by the legis¬ 
lative and executive departments of the State, immediate and 
rapid progress could be made, and all the desirable results which 
have been indicated above accomplished within a reasonable period 
of time. 

The exact limits of time and expense can be speedily settled when 
the scale of the maps and the amount of minutiae in the details of 
the topographical work have been settled upon. 

On account of the delays, omissions and neglects of a century the 
restoration of the boundary lines, the technical land survey or 
cadastral survey, will be the most difficult and expensive part of the 
work, and will require the greatest amount of time and attention. 
The trigonometrical measurements, made with precision, in accord¬ 
ance with the most approved methods known to modern geodetic 

* Based on the census report of 1885. 

) 


















on State Land Survey. 


13 


science, are absolutely necessary in the checking, testing and tying to 
getlier of the widely separated lines of the counties, patents, grants or 
townships, and the determination of the true distances to the 
county, town and township corners ; but the practical value of these 
trigonometrical measurements consists in the nicety with which they 
prove and test the land lines or property lines. The trigono¬ 
metrical measurements, therefore, when viewed from the stand¬ 
point of utility, are necessary in closing and testing the practical 
land-line work; the geodetic lines forming not only the ground 
work of the future accurate maps, but the demonstration which 
the chief officers of the survey require to prove the accuracy of the 
linear measurements made in the field. 

Similarly the precise topographical work has its chief merit in 
its practical importance, in that maps prepared from such data are 
an exact miniature representation of the real natural features of the 
country from which any officer of the State, assessor or business 
man or scientist may readily learn where the boundaries and monu¬ 
ments are located by a moment’s examination of these maps. 

Thus it is seen that the land survey is of the most immediate 
practical importance and that the trigonometrical and topographical 
measurements are essential to the perfection of the work and must 
naturally proceed together. The different classes of work are 
interdependent. If they are carried on together in accordance with 
the methods pursued by this department in the execution of the 
surveys in the Adirondack region the expense will be far less than 
when compass surveys are hastily made by one set of men, topo¬ 
graphical sketches afterward by others unfamiliar with the work 
of the compass surveyors, and trigonometrical surveys by others 
who know nothing about the land lines and topography. 

Consistent, homogeneous work requires a thorough system con¬ 
tinuously leading toward the important objects in view. 

If there is any such thing as progress; if new and better methods, 
when discovered, are to replace the old and effete; if the rudely 
executed and heterogeneous compass surveys of a century, leading 
only to confusion, prove the necessity of adopting the more modern 
and precise methods, then we should endeavor to study the ques¬ 
tion in its most comprehensive form, and the work that is found to 
be necessary should be executed in the most complete, thorough 
and permanent manner possible. 

It has been shown that the survey of the allotments and the loca- 


14 


Report of Verplance Colvin 


tion of the State lands leads up to the township, the great tracts, the 
grant, the patents and the boundaries of the counties themselves. 
All are involved more or Jess — here and there —in doubt, and in 
every case these doubts can only be settled by survey. 

An accurate map of the lands in each county requires a survey of 
each county, and the limits of the State Land Survey are of necessity 
the boundaries of the counties within which the work is by the law 
ordered to be carried on. 

It is as easy to do complete and permanent work, if the means 
shall be given for the employment of a sufficient field and office 
force, as to execute partial and temporary measurements. It is 
respectfully urged that no restricted view of this question should be 
taken and that means should be afforded for a comprehensive treat¬ 
ment of this great work, in the manner and to the extent which the 
investigations made during the progress of this survey, and hereto¬ 
fore explained, have shown to be necessary. 

Basis of these Conclusions. 

These conclusions have been reached after a special study, extend¬ 
ing over more than twenty years, devoted to the most careful ex¬ 
amination of the ancient records in the State departments and re¬ 
searches and scientific surveys in the field in every one of the ten 
counties mentioned in the law of 1883. It was only after these re¬ 
peated and repeated attempts made to solve in different localities the 
disputed questions, by means of the existing data and new local sur¬ 
veys, had shown the great uncertainties in which all the ancient 
compass surveys are involved, that the amount of work required of 
the new Land Survey was understood. 

At the commencement of field-work in 1883 communications were 
addressed to the State Comptroller and other officers of the State 
government, requesting them to advise this department of those 
matters affecting the State lands of which they had official cogni¬ 
zance, and which, in their opinion, required the most immediate at¬ 
tention. 

The answers received proved that it was not only almost im¬ 
possible in many places to identify the public lands, but that assess¬ 
ments upon private lands could not be accurately or properly laid 
/ on account of faulty descriptions and the general uncertainty as to 
the townships and great tracts in which the lands were situated. 

The reply of the Comptroller stated that “the importance of the 
survey and map required can hardly be over estimated,” and that “ as 
matters now stand it is confusion worse confounded, for not a piece 


ok State Land Survey. 


15 


of land therein can now be accurately or reliably described.” This 
reference was especially made to the prison lands in Clinton county 
in the fifth township of the Old Military Tract. The same difficul¬ 
ties have been found to exist in each of the counties in the northern 
district of the State. 

After diagrams had been prepared showing the supposed location 
of the State lands in the several counties, a general study of all 
the problems requiring solution was made, and in every case the 
uncertainties attending the lot lines were found to be affected by 
uncertainties in the township and patent boundaries, and these in 
their turn led up to questions which involved the locations of the 
county lines. Having been authorized and directed by the Legisla¬ 
ture to make special investigations in regard to some of these county 
lines, and finding the location of these lines to be essential in the 
preparation of the maps of the ten counties, I caused surveys to be 
made at those points where the investigations had indicated that the 
initial facts required in the settlement of these questions could be 
ascertained. 

The field work during the seasons of 1883, 1881 and 1885 has 
developed the most important results in every branch of the survey, 
and has afforded especially valuable data relative to the true location 
of sections of these lines identified and authenticated by substantial 
historical, local and topographical evidence which cannot be contro¬ 
verted. Important corners have also been searched out and identi¬ 
fied, and with these starting points, and the great amount of similar 
data accumulated during the progress of the survey of the interior 
of the Adirondack region, the requisite basis has been acquired for 
the execution of the detailed work of the land survey. 

It is true that in every section, as the work progresses, additional 
research among the ancient records will have to be made, and pre¬ 
liminary examinations in the field for line trees and topographical 
marks for the identification of additional sections of the old lines, 
but each new section as it is discovered and restored will afford bet¬ 
ter data for the search, and will form a substantial portion of the 
evidence by which other lines — now involved apparently in utter 
obscurity — may be found, restored and monumented for all time. 

Data Available. 

To show the amount of data available for the map-work, and as a 
basis for the further surveys to be made of the State lands, the fol¬ 
lowing general statement may be made : 


1G 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


Triangulation. 

About one-half of the entire region has been covered by the pri¬ 
mary triangulation of the Adirondack Survey, and secondary and 
tertiary triangulation has been made over a large portion of those 
sections in which the detailed topographical surveys have been con¬ 
ducted by this department. 

These measurements can be made immediately available for the 
tying together of the land-lines, and have been connected with a 
number of important lines and corners of tracts of land during the 
seasons of 1881 and 1885, rendering it possible to plat the bounda¬ 
ries and show the location of the tracts which they limit. 

The signal stations marking these trigonometrical points are 
upwards of two hundred in number, nearly all of them being upon 
prominent mountain peaks, within a reasonable distance of the 
boundaries and property corners which they are designed to locate. 
The primary and secondary stations are constructed in the most 
substantial manner. The signal is usually an open framework of 
wood, pyramidical in form, the centre being indicated by a vertical 
pole or mast, which is the point observed upon with the theodolite 
and measured to. These signals are secured to the native rock by 
iron bolts, leaded in, and the centres of the stations are marked by 
copper-bolts bearing inscriptions and numbers identifying the survey 
and station. 

This system of measurements covers over six thousand square 
miles of Northern New York, the angular measurements represent¬ 
ing in linear distances many thousand miles. 

The records of these measurements are contained in a large number 
of closely written quarto volumes on file in the office of the survey 
in the Capitol. 

Upon these records and these lines, as a basis, the triano-ulation 
can be rapidly extended over the remainder of the northern district 
of the State. 

The precision of the work is all that can be desired, the results 
both in their quality and quantity having exceeded the anticipations 
of the professional experts from Columbia College and Union Col- 

lege, selected by the Legislature of ISbo, to make a critical examina¬ 
tion of the work of the State Surveys. 

Transit Lines and Traverses. 

In the field work required for the searching out of the lines of 
the property and the location of these lines in connection with the 


on State Land Survey. 


17 


rivers, lakes, roads and general topography, a great number of toil¬ 
some and difficult measurements have been made. 

An economical management of the work rendered it desirable that 
the linear measurements connecting the triangulation stations with 
the boundary lines and topography should be made in such localities 
and along such routes as were most certain to be visible from the 
signal stations. 

It was for this reason, as has been explained in a former report, 
that the river and valley lines were selected as the locations along 
which the precise linear measurements, forming the base-lines of the 
topographical and land survey work, were located. 

These secondary base-lines have been measured with every precau¬ 
tion essential to good practical work. The standards of measurement 
used were continuous strips of steel — tape or ribbon — graduated 
to feet, tenths and hundredths of a foot, with adjustable handles, 
balances and levels. The alignment was, in every case, made by 
transit, and the measurements repeated to insure accuracy. 

Five of these secondary base-lines, thus measured, are from thirty 
to sixty miles in length, and are connected at various points with 
township, town and county lines. These points can again be found 
by reference to the station-marks cut in the stones set to mark the 
transit stations. 

The principal transit and traverse lines are a3 follows : 

Stations and 
Monuments. 

Between Plattsburgh, Clinton county, and Saranac lake, 

Franklin county, measured traverse along Saranac valley, 

number of transit stations. 

Between Malone, Franklin county, to Meachara lake, foot 
of DeBar mountain via valley of Salmon river, measured 

traverse, transit stations. 

Between Potsdam, St. Lawrence county, and Downey’s 
landing on Paquette river, measured traverse, the num¬ 
ber of transit stations being. .... 

Between Willsborough, Essex county, and head-waters of 
the Boquet river, measured traverse, transit stations. ... 

Between Glens Falls, Warren county, and North Piver 
station, Essex county (survey of Upper Hudson river), 

measured traverse, transit stations. .. 

Between Saranac lake, Franklin county, and sources of 
Cold river (survey of county line), measured traverse, 

transit stations. 

[Assem. Doc. No. 80.] 3 


542 

216 

382 

240 

438 

318 







18 


Report of Verplanck Colvln - 


Stations and 
Monuments. 

Between Raquette river and the source of Cold river, 

measured traverse (survey of county line), transit stations, 282 
Between Chazy and Cliateaugay lakes, connecting State 
lands with township lines and establishing lines of Old 
Military Tract for future work, measured basedines, 

transit stations. 415 

Between important corners of State lands and the Adi¬ 
rondack Survey signal stations on Bog mountain and 
Bald hill, Granshue and Hollywood, St. Lawrence 


countv, measured base-lines, transit stations. 181 

«/ s 

Between Jerseyfield lake and Stoner’s lake (survey of Ham¬ 
ilton, Herkimer and Fulton county lines), measured 

traverse, transit stations. 434 

On survey of Upper Hudson from North River signal 

station to Newcomb, Essex county, transit stations. 177 

On eight short base-lines and tie-lines in the counties of 
Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, St. Lawrence, etc., transit 
stations. 310 

Total number of transit stations occupied. 3, 935 


In addition to these there are sub-bases measured for lake surveys 
and local work, which bring the number of transit stations on these 
secondary base-lines up to four thousand (4,000) in number. 

In the technical field-work of the land survey — the restoration 
of boundary lines—very extensive linear measurements have also 
been made. These measurements having to be made with care, 
must not be expected to proceed with the reckless haste which has 
characterized the old compass work of the past. A great portion 
of the time is required in the examination and identification of the 
lines. Accurate measurement requires good weather, and the season 
during which good work can be done is limited to the brief summer 
time. The field-work of Assistant Locke during 1883 determined 
many important lot lines and corners, and his measurements cover 
over one thousand five hundred chains of line. The work of As¬ 
sistant Francisco, during the same period, locating equally impor¬ 
tant lines and corners, affords a record of over one thousand nine 
hundred chains of careful measurement. All of this work is pre¬ 
liminary to the transit-line work in the new districts, and indis¬ 
pensable in the tracing out and restoration of the lines; yet, nec- 











on State Land Survey. 


19 


essary and toilsome as these detail measurements are, they cannot 
conveniently be given in full in the reports without interfering with 
the clearness of the account of the work and of the results arrived 
at. They should, nevertheless, be copied or engrossed in perma¬ 
nent form, and should appear in the final publications of the sur¬ 
vey as a record of the data upon which the results of the survey 
are based. 


Topographical Worn. 

The topographical measurements and contour sketching of the 
ground, while forming a distinct portion of the survey, has accom¬ 
panied each step of the trigonometrical and linear work. The nu¬ 
merous plane table maps are based upon special trigonometrical and 
linear surveys; and the exact contour work, with the heights of 
mountains, passes, lakes and the gradients of roads and streams 
as far as measured, depend upon careful determinations with engi¬ 
neer’s level and rod. In determining the basis for these elevations 
with engineer’s level more than fourteen thousand (14,000) instru¬ 
ment and rod stations have been occupied. The topographical 
sketching of the ground having been carried on at all of these 
stations, the data is available for the preparation of the map of 
the region as soon as the means are afforded for the final computa¬ 
tions, reductions and drafting. 

Alon<r the lines of levels run to afford an accurate basis for the 
topographical work, more than eight hundred (800) bench-marks have 
been cut upon stone reference points. These height monu¬ 
ments will be of the greatest importance in the future engineering 
work of this portion of the State, and it is respectfully urged that 
means should be provided for the checking of the field computa¬ 
tions, and the copying and engrossing in ink of the records relating 
to these bench-marks, all of which should be published, in connec¬ 
tion with the sketches showing the location of the bench-marks, so 
as to render this data accessible to any person desiring the use of it 
in field or office or private engineering work. 

From the above brief statement of the results of the detail 
measurements made as a basis for the topographical work, it will be 
seen that the four thousand (4,000) transit stations along the second¬ 
ary base-lines and the seventeen thousand (17,000) rod and instru¬ 
ment stations occupied in the execution of the height measurements, 
having been in every case occupied as topographical stations, affords 
over twenty-one thousand (21,000) topographical stations, each 


20 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


affording valuable data for the map ot the State lands and Adirondack 
region. 

It is a mistaken policy which allows this valuable data to remain 
unpublished. It should be printed and issued to the public in the 
form of maps and reports. 

Condition of this Data. 

The data in the survey office have been accumulating during a 
number of years, and the recent reduction of the appropriations lias 
rendered it impossible to complete the computations of so great an 
amount of work covering so large an extent of country. 

The entries and records made in the held by the engineers and 
surveyors employed upon the work have, of necessity, been made 
almost entirely in pencil, and portions of the map-work in crayon, 
and all of this work requires to be copied in india ink or other 
indelible pigment and should be done by the most skillful draftsmen 
that can be obtained, in order to produce record sheets equal to the 
value and cost of the work executed, in a manner suitable to the 
dignity and importance of the State. 

These records cannot, with any propriety, be left in the form of 
incomplete pencil memoranda. It is essential that they shall be 
most carefully copied and accurately engrossed under the supervision 
of the Superintendent of the Survey ; and it is believed that those 
portions of the records which are not to be published — consisting of 
repetitions of measurements and details used in checking, testing 
and proving the work — should be copied in duplicate for filing in 
different departments of the State to insure their preservation from 
loss or mutilation. 

The results important for reference for the State and local author¬ 
ities, for geographers, land-owners and travelers, should be pub¬ 
lished and thus be made easily accessible to all desiring the informa¬ 
tion. 

Computations. 

A great number of preliminary computations have been made 
during the progress of the field-work, sufficient to locate points re¬ 
quired to be platted upon the plane-table sheets in advance of the 
topographical work, and for testing the general precision with 
which the work was being executed. 

Most of these computations have been based upon separate data, 
which it was impossible at the time to correct and combine. Such 
detached, single computations made at different times, by different 


on State Land Survey. 


21 


persons, require to be tested by systematic re-computations, under 
the direction of the Superintendent, in order to render it certain 
that no possible error has accidentally been made in the preliminary 
computations, and to make sure that the work has been executed in 
accordance with the instructions which the Superintendent found it 
necessary to formulate at the time that the field-work was being 
done. 

These check-computations might have been made during the 
winters, had the means afforded been sufficient. The limitation of 
the appropriations, however, prevented the employment of the 
engineering force during the winters in the reduction of this data, 
and compelled the Superintendent each year, at the close of field¬ 
work, to discharge the greater portion of the survey force, only such 
clerks being retained in the office as were required to prepare the 
data for the field-work of the succeeding season—the researches 
and preliminary computations above referred to. 

In the reduction of the geodetic work all of the calculations and 
adjustments, so far as finished, have been made by the Superintend¬ 
ent, personally, during such intervals of time as the duties of the 
supervision of the survey would admit. These official duties have 
been so onerous that months have at times elapsed of necessity be¬ 
fore any opportunity would be given- the Superintendent to make 
any computations in the higher branches of the work. The 
computation of trigonometrical measurements, in accordance with 
the principles of least squares, requires close attention during 
their execution. The data and books of reference are too volumin¬ 
ous and too valuable to be transported in the field, while traveling, 
and such computations should not be made in the midst of other 
important duties of an executive nature. Reductions of a large 
number of observations have been made in the shelter of the tents 
at camping places in the wilderness, but many of these reductions 
become spoiled and defaced by rain or moisture or by the rough 
transportation of the baggage, and have consequently to be re-com¬ 
puted. While the observations as they are made in the field require 
to be carefully studied in order to ascertain by the formulae of the 
theory of probabilities, the probable ratio of error — so as to bring 
the result within similar mathematical limits of precision — yet the 
theory of least squares, as applied to the final adjustment of a great 
system of triangulation, requires the field work to be absolutely fin¬ 
ished throughout large areas before the final computations can. even 
be commenced. 


22 


Report op Verplanck Colvin 


It was for this reason that the final computations were de¬ 
ferred until sufficient data could be obtained for the reduction of 
the observations into one harmonious system in accordance with the 
most approved methods known to modern mathematical science. 

While the land survey work shall be in progress the reduction of 
the trigonometrical observations can now be proceeded with — the 
more rapidly in proportion as more means are provided for the em¬ 
ployment of skilled assistants. 

These reductions are already in progress, the computations being 
made by the Superintendent, as his other duties will permit; but the 
amount of work is very great, the reduction of upwards of twenty 
thousand (20,000) angular measurements in the primary and second¬ 
ary triangulations necessitate the solution of so many conditional 
equations as to require an almost infinite amount of time of any one 
computer. 

It is respectfully urged that means be afforded for the employ¬ 
ment of a sufficient computing force to facilitate the early reduction 
of this work. Although skilled computers in this department of 
scientific work are exceedingly rare and demand and receive a high 
rate of compensation, yet the work is of too important a character 
to the public and to the scientific world to be compelled to struggle 
forward under such difficulties, and should be put in form and pub¬ 
lished in a manner to make the results accessible to the people at 
the earliest possible moment. 

Map of the Adirondack Region. 

It is proposed from the data described, to prepare for publication 
a map of the entire northern district of the State, on a scale of half 
an inch to the mile, or 1: 126,720, forming a sheet about seven feet 
square, or 84x81 inches. 

This is designed to be a wall map, to show, so far as the data on 
hand will admit, the location of the patents, great tracts and town¬ 
ships in the ten counties mentioned in the law of 1S83 and, conse¬ 
quently, the general location of the public lands. 

No map of the Adirondack region or of the northern district of 
the State has as yet been published by this department, in conse¬ 
quence of insufficiency of the means for the reduction of the data; 
the re-computation and platting of the distances, and the reduction 
of the great number of field-maps in the office to the same scale re¬ 
quired for publication. * 

Additional field-work will be needed to fill in important sec- 


oisr State Land Survey, 


23 


tions, even upon a map of the smallest scale. This data will 
be obtained when the survey shall be extended over these areas; 
but, in the meantime, it is extremely desirable that a preliminary njap 
of the entire district shall be platted and published. Such a map, 
giving the latest results of the survey, will be of the greatest utility 
to the autnorities charged with the police management aud improve¬ 
ment of the public lands; it will enable the Commissioners of the 
Land Office to act intelligently in regard to their official duties in 
this district; provide the tax department with a reliable basis for 
the description of the lands carried upon their books, and will fur¬ 
nish the public with information long desired and greatly sought. 
More than this; this wall-map will be of the greatest advantage to 
the survey parties engaged in the extension of the work of the land 
survey -to the different detached allotments of State lands. It will 
furnish each survey party with an accurate basis for its work, and 
a map upon which each new discovery can be platted, until all the 
blank spaces have been filled in and a perfected map at last secured. 

If means be given for the execution of this work, this wall-map 
can be prepared by the close of the present year, and a material 
advance will have been made in the geographical knowledge of the 
region, while a permanent basis will be afforded upon which all 
future surveys can be platted. 

Maps of State Lands. 

Maps showing the results of the surveys of the State lands have 
been prepared, and a large number of these sheets remain to be 
completed before they can be filed in the several offices of record as 
directed by the law. The duplication of these maps is required by 
the law, but the copies which are to be filed can only be made after 
an appropriation is provided to meet the expense of the work. All 
the maps of State lands, which have been prepared in this depart¬ 
ment, have been made at the expense of the Superintendent, the 
last appropriation having been exhausted in the field-work. 

The mapping of the results of the work done should certainly be 
completed, and the copies made and filed in compliance with the 
law. It i 3 hoped that the means for this work will be provided. 

Publications. 

In addition to the proposed wall-map and the requisite land 
maps there are numerous topographical sheets, carefully drawn in 
the field, and finished maps of various sections, which are of so 



24 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


much importance and will add so much to public knowledge of the 
geography of the Adirondack region and northern district of the 
State that their publication cannot be too strongly urged. 

The maps of the survey of the upper Hudson furnish the first 
accurate location of the course of the main channel of that river to 
its source at Mount Marcy, the measurements showing the location 
of all the mountains and hills which inclose the valley of that stream; 
the affluents of the river, and all details of topography on a series 
of plane-table sheets, on a scale of one twenty-thousandth part of 
nature (1: 20,000). 

Similar maps of the Schroon valley line, the Boquet river, the 
Saranac river, the Salmon river, the Raquette river and the Beaver 
river, form together an interesting atlas of manuscript maps which, 
to be thoroughly useful, should be in the hands of the public. 

The measurements upon which these maps are based, and the 
descriptive text which should accompany them, will form the first 
detailed scientific account of this interesting portion of the State. 

It is believed that not only these maps but all the most costly 
and valuable results of the survey should be embodied in document¬ 
ary form and published in a series of quarto volumes, somewhat as 
follows: 

I. A volume giving the data on which the results depend, the 
triangle closures, and the conditional equations, with descriptions of 
the stations and sketches or plans by which they may be identified. 

II. A volume giving the geographical positions, latitudes and 
longitudes, and results of the triangulation, the distances from 
station to station in metres, yards, feet and statute miles, with the 
azimuths, back azimuths and explanations. 

III. A volume giving the results of the geodetic leveling to in¬ 
clude also the trigonometrical leveling and barometric hypsometry, 
giving the description of all the bench-marks or height-monu¬ 
ments throughout northern New York, with their precise heights 
above mean tide level at Governor’s island in New York harbor 
and tide level and datum at Albany, with the precise heights of 
mountains, mountain passes, lakes and plateaus, and the profiles illus¬ 
trating and explaining the work. 

IY. A volume on magnetic observations giving the variation of 
the needle at the many hundreds of stations in northern New York' 
which have been occupied by this survey, with the amount of annual 
change of variation, and the allowance necessary to be made for the 


\ 


on State Land Survey. 25 

change in the pointing of the needle in the retracing and restoring 
of the ancient boundary lines of patents and allotments. 

Y. A volume on the meteorology of the region, giving the rain-, 
fall and barometric and temperature observations taken by the pres¬ 
ent survey, and memoranda relative to the climate of the region, 
with explanatory text. 

YI. A volume of narrative describing systematically the location 
of the different sections of work ; the location of the monuments 
placed, the signal-stations erected, the measurements by which the 
copper bolts marking the stations can be found and the adjacent 
corners and boundaries of lands identified, and all the details of a 
general and scientific nature that have been observed during the 
progress of the survey, which form a part of the history of the work, 
and are necessary to an understanding of it and its future utilization. 

Each of these quarto volumes should contain such illustrations 
(lithographs, photo-engravings, wood-cuts, plates, folding maps and 
profiles) as may be required to explain the text and identify the lo¬ 
calities. 

Justice to the work which has already been completed, a due 
regard to the importance of the information which these volumes 
will contain, and the dignity of the State whose territory they will 
describe, renders it important that this atlas and these volumes 
should be published in the best possible form and manner. It is 
respectfully urged that power be given to the State authorities to 
make a special contract for the publication of these volumes as soon 
as the adjustment of the data shall have been made, the computations 
completed and the text prepared. 

Conclusion. 

The extent and importance of the surveys which have already 
been made have now been explained as far as can be without an 
inspection of the maps and measurements themselves. These maps 
and these results, to attain their full measure of value to the public, 
must be printed. The credit of the State requires the publication 
in proper form of all those results which show the extent and 
importance of the region, and which convey to the world a knowl¬ 
edge — not only of the true geography of hitherto unexplored por¬ 
tions of New York — but also those facts in regard to its topography 
and the location of boundaries that define the ownership of prop¬ 
erty, and which are essential to an understanding of the great 
[Assem. Doc. No. 80.] 4 


( 


26 


Report of Verpla^ck Colvik 

resources of this region, and to the closing of the disputes that 
impede the development of its border settlements. 

The extent of the work jet required to be done has been outlined, 
and has been shown to involve, of necessity, the detailed survey of 
all important boundaries throughout the ten northern counties. 

The extent of territory over which these surveys will have be to 
made must not be underestimated. The State of Massachusetts, with 
its seven thousand eight hundred square miles, is little more than half 
as large as these ten counties of New York. The State of New Jer¬ 
sey, although of larger area than Massachusetts, falls far within the 
limits of the area of this vast northern territory, yet each of these 
States has been surveyed in accordance with modern, precise, scien¬ 
tific methods, and Massachusetts is now engaged upon its second 
systematic survey, required in consequence of a false economy in the 
conduct of the original work. South Carolina is also engaged upon 
a trigonometrical and topographical survey ; so that north and south, 
east and west, the modern systems of survey have been put into 
practice ; the plains of Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska; the gorges 
of the Rocky mountains and the Sierra Nevadas; the serpentine 
course of the Mississippi and the Missouri, and the meanderings of 
the Columbia and the Willamette have been mapped, while the sur¬ 
veys of New York are allowed to languish for lack of the trifling 
support necessary to carry them to completion. 

If New York is indeed a State of imperial dignity and power; of 
great population, wealth and commercial importance, it should take 
advantage of those practical methods for reducing the business 
operations of its people to the more perfect system, which the older 
civilizations have found to be necessary or advantageous. The 
British Empire, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, India and 
the distant islands of Japan have their perfected systems of surveys, 
and the knowledge which these surveys afford forms a basis for 
public works and improvements. Knowledge is power, and accu¬ 
rate information in regard to every physical feature of the State is 
essential to a proper understanding of our opportunities, and that 
systematizing of our business methods which can alone bring renewed 
prosperity. 

If the wild territories of the West had been rudely surveyed with 
1 the magnetic compass alone, the ownership of those lands would 
have been involved in the same doubts and complications that have 
in so many places delayed the development of the resources of New 
York; but the United States government, by adopting a system of 


on State Land Survey. 


27 


astronomical meridians and parallels, avoided most of these difficul¬ 
ties and placed the location of boundary lines throughout the terri¬ 
tories almost upon a mathematical basis. The United States system 
would have been practically perfect had it not been for the attempt 
to lay out rectangular townships upon the spheroidal surface of the 
earth, and this defect can be readily traced to a lack of scientific 
thoroughness and completeness in the plan. We should profit by 
the experience of others, and not only replace the magnetic compass 
by the solar transit and theodolite of the surveyors of the western 
territories, but go further, and, keeping in the fore-front of scientific 
advance, show to the world that New York, when aroused, is able 
to do this work in the most thorough manner, to solve the vexed 
problem of the past, and to unite and knit together all the de¬ 
tached surveys by the most improved methods known to geodetic 
science. 

The work of triangulation of the northern district of the State is 
now about half completed. The detailed surveys of the rivers, and 
the topographical work executed with plane-table, furnish data and 
maps which should be promptly published. The land surveys already 
executed have settled the location of many important boundaries, 
and are a key to the solution of other problems relating to bounda¬ 
ries dependent upon them. 

These surveys are necessary and will have to be made. The law 
requires that this department execute the work. The work has 
been begun, the researches made, the lands examined, the scientific 
methods perfected. 

An appropriation of $50,000 per annum for ten years would 
employ an office and field-staff of about twenty trained survey¬ 
ors, mathematicians, draughtsmen and clerks, and a field force 
upwards of between one and two hundred assistants, signalmen, 
rodmen, chainmen and laborers ; and would provide for the placing 
of the monuments at the township and county corners and the per¬ 
fection of the large scale assessment maps of the entire district. 

Compared with the cost of foreign surveys this work will be one 
of moderate expense. The appropriation would be about one-tenth 
of the amount annually devoted by the Austrian government to the 
surveys of its territory, or one-quarter of the appropriation made by 
the Prussian government for similar purposes each year. 

With the really moderate appropriation suggested, a proper force 
of employees could be engaged and the work rapidly pushed to com¬ 
pletion. 


28 Report of Verplanck Colvin ok State Land Survey. 

The earnest co-operation and support of both the executive and 
legislative departments of the State government, if continuously 
given, will render the work remaining to be done comparatively 
easy. It is earnestly hoped that this support and this co-operation 
may be given, so that the time of the Superintendent and his assist¬ 
ants may be uninterruptedly employed in the field and office work 
necessary to insure the results desired. 

In the appendix to this report will be found estimates for the com¬ 
pletion of the office work on hand and for the preparation for 
publication of the data of the survey work done. A sketch of the 
origin, progress, and present condition of the land surveys of Hew 
York is also given, and maps, etc., with explanatory text. 

All of which are respectfully submitted, 

YERPLAHCK COLVIH, 

Super in tenden t. 



^cppjcmli* 


Estimates for the Year 1887. 

For salaries of Superintendent, assistants, clerks and 

surveyors. $19, 500 00 

For stationery, blanks, forms for records, printing and 

binding. 1,350 00 

For engraving, etc., of large wall-map of Adirondack 

region and northern districts of the State. 2, 500 00 

For the publication of six quarto volumes of the results 

of the survey of the Adirondack region. 9, 000 00 

For field-work necessary for the filling in of details of 

topography in special sections. 5, 000 00 


Total. $37, 850 00 

The contract for the printing of the series of quarto 
volumes containing the results might be deferred 
until the text shall be all in form for printing. This 
would admit of a deduction from the above estimate 
of. . 9, 000 00 

Making a total of. $28, 850 00 


As the cost of reducing and placing in form the data now on file 
in this office. 

























;2V;p;pcutliT |p. 


AX 


HISTORICAL SKETCH 


OF THE 


ORIGIN AND PRESENT CONDITION 


OF THE 


NEW YORK STATE LAND SURVEYS 


VERPLANCK COLVIN, 


SUPERINTENDENT, 




















































































































































NEW YORK STATE LAND SURVEY, 

ADIRONDACK REGION 
VERPLANCK COLVIN, 

SUPERINTENDENT. 

(Offices in tlie New Capitol at Albany.) 


This survey, as at present organized, is essentially an administra¬ 
tive work, intended to furnish data for the State government for 
the better management of the public lands. The survey accom¬ 
plishes this advantageous result by a revision and correction of the 
ancient colonial land surveys, by new surveys in accordance with 
the modern and most improved methods, and by securing such gen¬ 
eral topographical information as will afford more accurate maps of 
the State. The object of the work is to render the existing bound¬ 
ary lines permanent, and to restore those which have been lost or 
destroyed ; to mark important property lines and corners of counties, 
townships or allotments with permanent stone monuments in place 
of the marked trees or stakes which, until the initiation of the 
present survey, were the only marks left by compass surveyors for 
the guidance of owners. 

In consequence of the laws — under which the present surveys 
are being conducted — having required an exploration of the Adi¬ 
rondack wilderness in the northern district of the State, and the 
rendering of reports descriptive of the character of the region exam¬ 
ined, this survey has a scope beyond the usual limits of the cadastral 
or land surveys; and the scientific departments attached to the State 
government have, through the medium of the reports of this survey, 
given an account of the fauna, flora, and mineral resources of the 
[Assem. Doc. Ho. 80.] 5 



34 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


region, and such occasional geological memoranda as appeared to be 
new to science. 

The popular title of u Adirondack Survey ” arose from the name 
of the extensive group of mountains among which a great portion of 
the work of the survey has been conducted. These mountains extend 
over a large portion of ten of the northern counties of .New York, 
which have an area more than twice as great as that of Lake Ontario, 
or more than the combined area of the States of Massachusetts and 
Connecticut. The Adirondack mountains rise to a maximum height 
of over a mile above sea level at Mt. Marcy, in the county of Essex, 
where a group of peaks of laurentian rock, rising above the timber 
line, possess an arctic flora natural to their elevation and latitude. 
These are the most lofty summits within the State of New York, 
and the climate here is, consequently, the most severe in the State. 
The remainder of this district, although everywhere mountainous, is 
not so elevated; the summits—at times gathered in groups, at 
other times extending in ranges — decrease in altitude as the high 
peaks of Essex are receded from, and while a great number of peaks 
are found between the elevations of three thousand and four thou¬ 
sand feet above the sea, the greater part of the marginal region is 
traversed by irregular ranges, whose height above sea level is be¬ 
tween two thousand feet and two thousand five hundred feet. The 
entire wilderness, with the exception of the high Alpine summits 
and occasional marshes and intervals, beside the lakes and rivers, is 
a forest so dense as to cut off all view of mountains or other land¬ 
marks when once entered. The traveler in these forests can onlv 

IS 

proceed from point to point with the aid of a skilled guide — one 
of the inhabitants of the border of the region — whose local knowl¬ 
edge of marked lines and trails, of portages from lake to lake, 
and of passes through the mountains, render his services absolutely 
necessary to one unfamiliar with the ground, even though he be a 
skilled woodman. These dense forests and the frequent beds of pure 
magnetic iron found throughout the region form the wealth of this 
portion of New York, and, in connection with the almost limitless 
water-power and large reservoir lakes which maintain two of the 
great canals of the State, have wisely received the fostering care and 
attention of the State government. The value of the products of 
the Adirondack forests and mines, and of the industries dependent 
upon them, may be placed at many millions of dollars. These tech¬ 
nical considerations, however, are not germain to the history of the 



on State Land Survey. 


35 


survey, although they show some of the motives of the State govern¬ 
ment in organizing the present work. 

It may be necessary to explain that the soil of New York is owned 
by the State, and that the State government alone has the right to 
take any portion of it by eminent domain. This sovereign right is 
not possessed by the United States government, for the Federal 
government cannot so much as purchase any portion of the territory 
of New York, unless permitted so to do by the passage of a formal 
act by the Senate and Assemby, approved by the Governor of the 
State. The wild lands of New York are the territories of the State 
government alone, and are only subject to the administration and 
control of the State authorities. Under the Constitution and the 
laws, the holders of real estate within New York are only the ten¬ 
ants of the State, the real and personal property of any citizen 
dying, without heirs and without will, reverting to the State. This 
State ownership of all lands was the consequence of the revolution ; 
the State inheriting from the English Crown all its rights, powers 
and privileges not extinguished or expressly surrendered to the 
General or Federal government. The consequence has been that 
the English common law, especially that portion which relates to 
real estate, having been the law of the colony of New York, formed 
the foundation of the law of the State. 

It is necessary to bear in mind the origin of the laws of the State, 
and of the manner in which the laws affect the ownership of lands 
in order to properly appreciate the system of land surveys now in 
existence in this State, to understand the object of the many depart¬ 
ments of work; the relationship of the scientific methods of meas¬ 
urement to the legal and practical requirements which have led the 
people through their legislative representatives to formulate the 
laws under which the present cadastral and scientific surveys are 
being conducted. 

Historical Review. 

While it is not necessary to give even an abstract of the colonial 
and State laws in the present paper, yet a review of the history of 
the origin of the public surveys of New York is essential to a 
proper understanding of the difficulties surrounding this work in a 
portion of the continent where the land titles are most involved and 
complicated. 

From a legai standpoint, the history of New York might be 
divided into three periods. The first would be the period of the 


oo Report of Yerplauck Colvin 

Dutch supremacy; the second, the English colonial period ; and the 
third epoch covering the origin and progress of the State govern¬ 
ment down to the present time. The land titles are all originally 
either by treaty or other form of conveyance, or by conquest, de¬ 
rived from the native Indians, and in the northern portion of the 
^ State, near Lake Champlain, a number of extensive grants were 
made by the French government at an early period. The Indian 
deeds of conveyance, and the surveys made (with compass and 
chain) by the purchasers, have still constantly to be referred to in 
the adjustment of titles in the modern system of surveys, and the 
ancient land-marks and descriptions of topography along lines traced 
by the first explorers — the crossings of streams and lakes, the sum¬ 
mits of mountains and brinks of cliffs, occasionally described as 
located upon these boundaries, are now important aids in the re-dis¬ 
covering and monumenting of these governing lines. It is to be 
regretted that so little mention was made by the early compass sur¬ 
veyors of these characteristic features of the ground traversed by 
their lines, and that even these brief and occasional notes were so 
indefinite. In all future surveys the laws should rigorously require 
precise records of all topographical features of the ground to insure 
the future identifying of the boundary. 

It is owing to the peculiarities and complexities of this ancient 
system of surveys that a topographical survey alone, independent of 
the land lines, would be nearly valueless to the State authorities. 
Maps of the State, and particularly of the State lands, showing 
only the topography, without the land lines and political divisions, 
would be considered by the authorities and by the people as abso¬ 
lutely worthless, and would meet with merited scorn and contempt. 

The great Commonwealth of New York requires for its maps 
detailed surveys which shall show every natural feature of the 
ground, capable of being depicted upon paper, in connection with 
an accurate plan of all the subdivisions of property and the actual 
or the theoretical lines which, under the laws, control questions of 
assessment or taxation. 

Such maps, in all civilized countries, have come to be regarded as 
graphical indices to the system by which the State government 
cares for the interests of its people} affording at a glance a knowl¬ 
edge of the relationship of the political system to the physical 
features of the State. 

The Cadastral survey of France, covering a couutrv once divided 
into great feudal estates, was, perhaps, the first organization to en- 



on - State Land Survey. 


37 


counter these peculiar difficulties. That great work rendered possi¬ 
ble equitable assessments, and is one of the noblest monuments of 
the thoughtful foresight of the first Napoleon. 

The land surveys of New York have not been especially modeled 
after the Cadastral survey of France, but rather upon the combined 
methods of all the great land surveys whose publications have been 
issued to the world during the last century. In the evolution of 
methods, the necessities of the people and the views of State officers 
as to the extent and limitations of the work have rendered the ap¬ 
propriations small, and have thus restricted the amount of survey 
work done, although the instruments and methods have been the 
best known to science. 


Earliest Surveys. 

As already mentioned, the first surveys were made with chain and 
compass during the Dutch colonial period. 

Only thirty-three years after the discovery of the Hudson the 
office of Surveyor-General of the colony of New Amsterdam was 
created, and Andries Hudde being the first incumbent (A. D. 1642). 
He was succeeded in office in 1643 by Claes Van Elslant, Hulde 
again taking office in 1654, to be followed by Peter Van Couwen- 
hoven in 1655, who was in turn succeeded in 1657 by Jacques Cor- 
teljou, who retained his office until 1671, although the Dutch power 
had ceased with the capture of the colony by the English in 1664. 

The recapture of New Amsterdam in 1673 by the Dutch was but 
a temporary change, and we may consider that the Dutch system of 
surveys and measurements — differing only in their linear standards 
from the existing English system — came to a close with the termi¬ 
nation of the official career of Cortel jou in 1671. 

What the Dutch standards of measurement actually were at that 
time is not now precisely known. The State office of weights and 
measures contains no record relative to these measures, nor any 
standards that have been identified as belonging to this period. 
Yet the boundary lines as then marked have to-day to be adhered 
to, and thelimit8 of the patents granted to the Van Hensselaer’s, the 
Coeymans’, the Schuyler’s, Courtland’s and others, were primarily 
located in accordance with ancient standards, whose length we are 
now only able to infer from the recorded distances in the ancient 
deeds between land-marks now rarely to be found. The importance 
of a knowledge of the standards of measurement during this period 
will be better appreciated when it is remembered that at this time 


38 


Report op Verplance Colyik 


the “foot” measure of Europe varied in every kingdom and prin¬ 
cipality. 

When we remember that some of the early grants were made in 
miles during the Dutch ascendency, and that the mile (old measure) 
of the European continent is usually more than four and a half times 
greater than the English mile, while the English foot is, on the 
contrary, greater than the old standard continental average foot 
measure by from one-half an inch to nine-tenths of an inch, the 
difficulties which are met with and the caution which has to be 
used in restoring the ancient boundaries may be understood. Indeed 
the care and precaution that is required where the lines of the 
oldest colonial grants are being restored does not end with them, 
for it is probable that the surveyors of the colonial period sold or 
transmitted their surveying chains and other apparatus to their suc¬ 
cessors, so that where the Dutch measures ceased and the English 
standards prevailed is a question ever presenting itself for solution 
where the colonial lines are encountered ; while the introduction of 
such worthless measures as ropes and the like, in a few localities, 
occasion greater difficulties. 

Modern survey work in the region of the ancient Dutch patents is 
thus seen to be complicated by a lack of knowledge of the absolute 
standards of measurement used under the old Commonwealth, and the 
natural decay and disappearance of land-marks after the lapse of over 
two centuries. The difficulties encountered in restoring such boun¬ 
daries and the location upon the new charts, the true topography 
within the restored limits might appear to be almost insurmountable, 
but, by careful study and diligent work, may gradually be made to 
disappear. 

During the English colonial period the office of Surveyor-General 
of the colony was continued, commencing with Philip Wells in 
1683, and terminating — as far as the English government was con¬ 
cerned— with Edmund Fanning, appointed June 30, 1775. 

Compass and chain were very active during this period. Almost 
every piece of unoccupied territory along the Hudson river from 
New York to the head-waters of the river and beyond as far even as 
the shores of Lake Champlain, was the subject of barter, and of 

treaty with the Indians. The western limit of these “ purchases ”_ 

as they were primarily called before patents had been issued by the 
Crown — was to the westward of the present city of Utica, the 
ancient Indian boundary line traversing the fields of Clinton, Oneida 
county, where Hamilton College now stands. 






ok State Lake Survey. 39 

It was during this period that the famous “Royal grant” was 
made to Sir William Johnston of the valuable lands to the north of 
the Mohawk river, and the Jerseytield patent and many other trac.ts 
secured from the Indians; the last great land transaction prior to 
the American Revolution being the acquisition by an association of 
speculators, actually led by one Ebenezer Jessup, but nominally 
headed by two ship carpenters of New York, from whom the great 
tract of over eight hundred thousand acres takes it name of “ Totten 
and Crossfield's purchase.” Ebenezer Jessup undertook to have this 
large area divided into townships, each of about thirty-six square miles 
area, for the sum of five pounds sterling per thousand acres, or about 
$20,000, which was a very considerable sum at that time. The 
outer boundaries of the purchase were already limited to the 
southward and eastward by some of the existing patents, and 
starting from the Upper Hudson the boundaries of this great tract 
were hurriedly traced with compass, and a great number of town¬ 
ship lines marked on the trees. This was in 1772. In a few years 
the battles of the Revolution brought these enterprises to a close, the 
Crown lands were confiscated by the Revolutionary government and 
the English colonial period was terminated. 

The organization of the State government found the young Com¬ 
monwealth exhausted by war ; its treasury empty; its only wealth 
the lands which it had wrested from the Royal power. It was no 
great discovery in the statemanship which led politicians of the period 
to advocate the sale of these lands to meet the expenses of govern¬ 
ment, and their disposal to any one willing to purchase them became 
the policy of the period. The office of Surveyor-General was re¬ 
newed March 20, 1781, and the old system of survey with magnetic 
compass and chain was resumed. Ten years later the land survey 
work of New York was almost brought to a close by the purchase 
from the State, by Alexander McComb, of that enormous tract of 
nearly four millions of acres which was supposed to cover nearly all 
that remained of the State’s possessions in northern New York. 

In 1817 the attention of the State authorities was largely en¬ 
grossed with the proposed construction of the Erie canal, and the 
decadence of the survey system of the State became more marked. 
As the canals increased in importance and in number, and as rail¬ 
roads began to be built, a proper system of civil engineering became 
essential to the economy of these works and to the protection of 
the public, so that in 1846 the office of State Engineer was created, 
and he was termed the “State Engineer and Surveyor,” the office 
of Surveyor-General being abolished by law in 1848. 



40 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


A stupor seems to have fallen upon the surveys of the State from 
the time of this amalgamation of offices down to the time of the 
close of the War of the Rebellion. That contest showed the im¬ 
portance and absolute need of accurate topographical maps to a 
proper understanding of the physicial features of the States, of the 
methods proper to be pursued for the development of their com¬ 
mercial interests, and for the prompt and safe movement of troops 
protecting the institutions of tiie country. 

In 1865 the writer of the present paper commenced those explo¬ 
rations of the northern or Adirondack wilderness of the State which 
have undoubtedly led to the organization, under legislative au¬ 
thority, of the modern scientific surveys of Hew York. Intending 
to examine certain wild districts which appeared as blanks upon the 
maps of the State, and to trace out the course of rivers whose sources 
and locations were topographically unknown, he searched the rec¬ 
ords of the State for the data of the ancient compass surveys, and 
prepared a skeleton-map sketch to be used during his explorations as 
a basis for study and for graphical memoranda. 

Upon examining the region, to his amazement he found that 
most of the topography as recorded upon the old maps in the office 
of the State Engineer was erroneous, and of no value as a basis for 
new work. The guides of the wilderness showed him lakes where 
the old survey maps located mountains, and mountains where those 
maps had shown lakes. Many of the ancient surveys were evidently 
grossly erroneous, though it was to be assumed that the majority of 
the old compass surveys of the wilderness were approximately as 
good as the other colonial surveys. But this was found not to be 
the case, as the local attraction of the magnetic iron ores of the Adi¬ 
rondack region caused great variations in the magnetic declination, 
and the rough and mountainous nature of the district had led to 
errors in the chain work not to be expected in the more level por¬ 
tions of the State. 

These explorations were continued personally, and at the private 
expense of the writer of this paper during the years 1866, 1867, 
1868, 1S69, 1870 and 1871. In 1870, at the request of the Secre¬ 
tary of the Board of Regents of the University, he communicated 
an account of the first ascent and measurement of Mt. Seward, made 
by him that year. To this mountain had been attributed a height 
of five thousand one hundred feet above the sea by the State Geologi¬ 
cal Survey. This, he proved by his actual measurements, had been 
but a rough guess, exaggerating the height of the mountain. After 


on State Land Survey. 


41 


different ascents and repeated measurements, the writer found that 
the summit of Mt. Seward was actually seven hundred feet lower 
than the height attributed to it. It was therefore probable that many 
other mountains whose heights were recorded in the reports of the 
State Geological Survey as exceeding five thousand feet above the 
sea were really much lower, and that the general topography of the re¬ 
gion as exhibited upon the existing maps was grossly inaccurate. 
By 1872 he had accumulated a great amount of detailed information 
relative to the topography of the Adirondack region, but in attempt¬ 
ing to arrange this data within the limits of the surveys of the an¬ 
cient patents found great difficulty in executing the work, which was 
only explained by his accidental discovery of the many and frequent 
variations in the magnetic declination throughout the region. As 
the region was a dense unexplored forest, the magnetic compass had 
been, until the present time, deemed absolutely necessary in travers¬ 
ing the region, and it was believed by all forest surveyors to be suffi¬ 
ciently accurate for explorative surveys. When back and foresights 
were compared from various points the irreconcilable errors caused 
by the deflection of the needle induced by the beds of iron or dis¬ 
seminated crystals of magnetite in the rock, showed that an accurate 
survey could only be made by a triangulation developed from pre¬ 
cisely measured base-lines located on the cleared plains at the margin 
of the wild region as a basis ; the details of topography being worked 
in by the means of the plane-table or by line surveys with transit, 
etc. 

About this time the United States Coast Survey commenced its 
hydrographic work on Lake Champlain, and it occurred to the writer 
that some of their base-lines might be made available for the trian¬ 
gulations of the interior. 

Against his proposition to thus continue this great work at his 
own expense his friends protested. It was truly said that the ex¬ 
penditure necessary to be incurred would be very great; that the 
labor of years would be required ; that his private fortune would be 
impaired by attempting such a work, and that as he possessed no 
lands or other interests in the region proposed to be triangulated to 
receive the benefits of so precise a survey, it would be unprofitable 
to him and, therefore, should not be attempted. 

On the other hand, he claimed that he had given too many years 
to the study of the topography of this region to leave the work un¬ 
finished. 

It was then suggested that this was a work of a public character 
[Assem. Doc. No. 80.] 6 


42 


Keport of Verplanck Colvin 


which the State should have executed, and if done by private enter¬ 
prise it should at least receive the aid of the State as a work of pub¬ 
lic benefit. 

Application was accordingly made to the Legislature and a small 
appropriation — less than was asked for—was granted, a report 
n being required of the results of the survey. The report, the first 
of the Adirondack Survey series, was duly transmitted to the Legis¬ 
lature of 1873. It gave a narrative of explorations made during 
1872, and an account of the initiation of the trigonometrical work by 
a series of reconnaissance measurements with a light theodolite, the 
lines extending from the proposed base at Lake Champlain westward 
over the high summits of Essex to the heart of Hamilton county. The 
appropriation was found to be totally insufficient for the work con¬ 
templated, but discoveries of great importance were made ; the high¬ 
est lakelet source of the Hudson river was discovered near Mount 
Marey — Lake Tear-of-the Clouds, four thousand three hundred and 
fifty-one feet above the sea — and the dividing line between the 
head waters of the Hudson and St. Lawrence traced and mapped. 
A large number of height determinations were made with mer¬ 
curial mountain barometers — constructed by James Green on 
Fortin’s principle — and twenty-two important mountains were 
ascended and measured during the progress of the work. 

This report was received with favor by the Legislature and a 
larger appropriation was granted for the ensuing year. During 
1873 the triangulation (still of the character known to mili¬ 
tary surveyors as u reconnaissance triangulation,” was continued 
with light theodolites. During this season the system proposed was 
developed, the heliotrope was used in observing to very distant 
stations, and a very convenient form of automatic flashing signal was 
devised by the writer and placed at numerous stations, doing good 
service for distances nearly as great as those for which the heliotrope 
had been employed. The law making the appropriation required 
the exploration of the wilderness to be continued, and the investi¬ 
gations were extended over new areas ; the natural drainage basins of 
the region were examined, and over one hundred and eighty lakes re- 
eonnoitered and referred upon the maps to their true river systems, 
either approximately, upon the field charts, or routes of survey found 
by which their position would be determined by future work. 
Most of these lakes were hitherto unknown to geographers, and 
many of them appeared never before to have been visited by man, 
being located m the dense CowgJi-soL-QTQj-qob of the Indians, which 


on State Land Survey. 


43 


has been translated as the “ howling wilderness,” or the fearful 
enchanted desert void of game and food and dreaded by the ancient 
habitants as the awful region of sterlity and starvation. 

In examining the region of Adirondack lakes, a study of their ele 
vations showed that many bodies of water belonging to different 
river systems were located so nearly at the same level that they 
could be connected by short canals. This was first suggested in re¬ 
gard to the Paquette river waters by Prof. Benedict — since de¬ 
ceased, — who made many barometric observations in the region as 
early as 1840. This system of barometric measurements was ex¬ 
tended during the present survey by direction of the super¬ 
intendent, and it was proved to be only available for reconnaissance. 
For this reason, from this time forward (following 1873-74) all 
differences of level between lakes were determined with engineer’s 
level and rod in accordance with the system hereafter described. 

It is not necessary to detail the work accomplished during each 
season. Mention of a few prominent results will give an under¬ 
standing of the nature of the survey. 

The panic of 1873, and the disasters in business following that 
period, caused a reduction in the appropriations by the State, and 
compelled the Superintendent to make large personal expenditures 
to carry the work forward. 

In 1875, the first measurement with engineer’s level and rod, of 
Mt. Marcy — the highest summit of New York — was made by 
the Superintendent with two assistants, and the usual survey force, 
and the height found to be five thousand three hundred and forty- 
four feet above the sea. Forty miles of levels were run during this 
season, and a great amount of other important work done. During 
1S76 the trigonometrical reconnaissance measurements were ex¬ 
tended to the northward and southward of the central line examined 

m 

in 1873, and a line of levels run with engineer’s level and rod nearly 
half-way across the wilderness — from Beaver lake, near Lowville, 
Lewis county, to Beach’s lake in Hamilton county. A traverse was 
at the same time carried along southward of the Beaver river and 
the first maps of that hitherto unlocated stream were now secured. 

Space does not admit of a detailed account of the work of the 
survey ; this must be sought in the published volumes of reports, 
of which thousands of copies have been issued by the State* Only 
such results as indicate the character of the work being done can 
be given. In 1877 the line of levels across the wilderness was com- 


44 


Deport of Verplanck Colvin 


pleted, tlio chain of measurements extending from Westport on 
Lake Champlain across the counties of Essex, Franklin, Hamilton 
and Herkimer into the county of Lewis. These measurements gave 
the true heights of a great number of important points in the 
region of the head-waters of the Au Sable, Saranac, Raquetto and 
Beaver rivers, and the hundreds of stone bench-marks located will 
remain as permanent monuments and bases for all height measure¬ 
ments. There is no space to refer to topographical and trigonomet¬ 
rical work, accounts of which are given in the reports. 

In the report rendered by the writer to the Legislature for the 
year 1873, he had recommended a general trigonometrical and topo¬ 
graphical survey of the State. It appears, from statements recently 
put forth, that such a survey had been previously recommended by 
different Governors of the State, but without action by the Legisla¬ 
ture. 

The present recommendation was, however, promptly acted upon. 
In 1873 an appropriation was made for this survey under a board 
of commissioners, providing for surveys in the southern and west¬ 
ern p jrtiou of the State. In 1878 both the Adirondack and State 
Surveys were reorganized under their existing officers, and further 
appropriations made. Inasmuch as tho work of the State Survey 
has been elsewhere very fully treated, tho writer will confine 
this recital to tho work placed under his exclusive superintendence 
— the Adirondack and State Land Surveys — only remarking, with 
regret, that the work of tho State Survey was at this time limited by 
law to a simple triangulation, tho law prohibiting the State Survey 
from executing topographical or land surveys. 

During this period, although the State had absorbed the results 
of the Adirondack Survey in the reports rendered during the 
six years between 1872 to 1877, inclusive, as well as tho results of 
the six preceding years of study of tho topography of the Adiron¬ 
dack region between 1865 and 1871, not one dollar of salary or 
compensation for his services had been paid to the writer of this 
paper, although ho had fro n his own private funds paid a great 
portion of the expense of the work of survey. Tho value of his 
s e s ud^ of this region during these twelve years, 

taken in connection with his personal expenditures during this 
period, have been estimated at over $60,000. During six years of 
this period the State made appropriations amounting to a little 
over $11,000. The balance due the Superintendent and the salary 
promised him have never been paid, although the sum of $5,000 


on State Land Survey. 


» 


45 


was appropriated in 1873 for this purpose, and still lies in the 
treasury of the State, unexpended. 

This statement is made in order to record the financial conditions 
under which this survey has been conducted, and the great personal 
cost at which the Superintendent has prosecuted the work. 

During the six years following the period above mentioned — 
i. e. } between 1878 and 1884 — less than $15,000 was paid to the 
Superintendent for his services in conducting tho survey, and nearly 
one-third of this sum was expended in paying expenses of additional 
work ordered by tho Legislature, for which either no appropriation 
or only inadequate appropriation was made. 

It was under these conditions that, in 1883, before the expiration 
of the law regulating the Adirondack Survey had expired, a new 
law was passed creating the State Land Survey, and making appro¬ 
priation therefor, and the Superintendent of the Adirondack Survey 
was, in tho same law, directed to take charge of the new work. 

Thus organized, the State Land Survey was begun in 1883; and, 
as the law directs that “ the methods of survey shall be in accord¬ 
ance with those now in use on the Adirondack Survey/’ the new 
work was rapidly systematized and the methods of survey adapted 
to tho new and extended field of action. As this law placed the 
location of tho boundaries of the State lands absolutely under the 
direction of the Superintendent of the Adirondack Survey, and re¬ 
quired tho preparation of land maps of ten of the largest counties 
of the State — Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herki¬ 
mer, Lewis, Saratoga, St. Lawrence and Warren — whose united 
area is nearly equal to fifteen thousand* square miles, the enormous 
amount of work involved will be appreciated. 

To settle the disputed boundary lines alone — tho subject of the 
legal controversies of half a century — would require a careful legal 
examination of the ancient records, of the royal grants, of the pat¬ 
ents from the State, of deeds, conveyances and tax sales; a work 
sufficient to form, the labor of one department. From these descrip¬ 
tions the tracing out and restoration of the original boundaries in 
accordance with the colonial magnetic surveys, the discovery of 
boundary trees anciently marked in the forests of the wilderness, 
and the restoration of the points of departure or closure of lines 
(called corners), the discovery of the causes of legal controversy, of 
the accidental errors of the ancient surveys, and the measurement 


* Deducting the south pan of Herkimer county, fourteen thousand square miles. 



46 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


of the true distances and directions, formed the land survey proper — 
in itself a special department of work. 

The topographical sketching and requisite measurements in the 
interior for the determination of heights and the location of the 
physical features — mountains, rivers and the like — the details of 
map-work formed still another distinct department, of necessity 
closely associated with the land-line work, but requiring the services 
of trained topographers. 

The connection and tying together of all these different depart¬ 
ments of work into one harmonious system, by the precise methods 
of trigonometrical measurement, and their orientation by reference 
to the primary meridians and parallels of the United States Coast 
Survey, formed the necessary complement to the other departments 
of work. 

The State Land Survey was therefore reorganized in accordance 
with the system above outlined, and tho results of the first season’s 
work are given in the report published in 1884, a volume of three 
hundred and forty-three pages, which is accompanied by illustra¬ 
tions and maps. During this season alone thirteen survey parties 
were placed in the field. 

The general functions of the survey, the manner in which it 
arose — a natural and systematic growth —the laws instituting the 
work and their modifications have now been sufficiently outlined 
for the purposes of an historical sketch. 

Tho work is not connected with any other department or institu¬ 
tion directly or indirectly, although under the special law of 1883 
copies of certain land maps are to be filed, when completed, in the 
offices of the Comptroller and of the State Engineer. 

The laws lequiie the Superintendent to make his report directly 
to the Legislature, who alone have the power to grant appropriations 
for the support of the work. 

The appropriations are usually made annually in accordance with 
the general laws, the amount requisite being collected in the gen¬ 
eral tax levy, wnich is paid over to the State Treasurer and by him 
only issued to the parties authorized by law to receive the same on 
the warrant of the Comptroller, who is the financial officer of the 
State. All payments that are made from such appropriations must 
be accounted for by detailed bills of items with formal vouchers in 
writing duly signed by the payee and countersigned by the officer 
making the payment. All such accounts submitted by any officer 
must contain a specific statement as to the payments made, the 


on State Land Survey. 


47 


nature of the duties performed, or of the material or supplies fur¬ 
nished, and that the same were requisite and necessary and were 
expended or used in the service. Such accounts are kept in dupli¬ 
cate or triplicate in accordance with the number of responsible offi¬ 
cers through whose hands they pass, the originals being filed in the 
office of the Comptroller. 

It has been already explained, that upon this particular survey 
when the appropriations of the State were insufficient the Superin¬ 
tendent— the writer, Verplanck Colvin, who has had charge of the 
work since its inception—has laid out his own means and has carried 
forward the work at his own expense. It is necessary to recall this 
fact in order to prevent the impression that the results of the work 
are derived entirely from State appropriations. 

Administration. 

The State Land Survey, as at present organized, consists of one 
Superintendent, selected by the Legislature. The Superintendent 
of the State Land Survey, like the other superintendents of State 
departments — the Superintendents of Public Instruction, of Public 
Works, of State Prisons, etc., has almost absolute control of the 
work. This system has been adopted after long experience of large 
commissions and boards whose slowness of action has been deemed 
by the Legislature to militate against the promptness in executive 
work required in these special departments. 

The Superintendent of the Survey has sole power of appoint¬ 
ment and removal of subordinates. His own salary was fixed by 
law during certain periods, but is now left subject to the decision of 
the Legislature. The salaries of all subordinates are annually fixed 
by the Superintendent and are paid by the Comptroller from the 
regular appropriation for the survey. 

OFFICEES. 

Superintendent. 

Salary fixed by the Legislature. 

Assistant in Charge of Office. 

Office continued from year to year. Salary in accordance with 
annual schedule as submitted to the State Civil Service Com¬ 
mission. Duties. General charge of office; oversight of office 


48 


Report of "V erplanck Col yin 

work; issaing of instruments and supplies to survey parties, and has 
charge of inspections when ordered by Superintendent. 

Chief Clerk. 

Usual functions. Has charge of general correspondence under 
instructions of Superintendent. Salary as above. (See Civil Service 
Commission Report.) 

Legal Clerk. 

Must be a member of the bar of the State \ specially acquainted 
with laws relating to real estate, and familiar with the making of 
searches relative to titles. (Salary as above.) 

Computers. 

Must be familiar with the special classes of computation to which 
they are assigned. Have been employed by the mouth except the 
chief computer — salaries ranging from $60 to $104 per month. 

Draftsmen. 

As the topographers and their field assistants are best able to re¬ 
produce their field-work accurately in the form of maps the draft, 
ing has been usually assigned to the officers making the surveys. 
Most of these officers are superior draftsmen, although differing 
slightly in their styles of work. By having the map-work done by 
the field topographers great precision has been secured in the first 
drafts. The combining and unification of all of the topographical 
data of the survey by skilled technical copyists is now under con. 
sideration. This, it is expected, will afford a uniform series of 
maps of the entire district under survey, 

Division Officers. 

The area of work being so great, and the details required being 
actually enormous — it has been found necessary to divide the entire 
region into districts, usually consisting of one or more counties. 
Thus for the purposes of the Adirondack Survey, the region was 
divided into the following districts or departments, to each of which 
was assigned a resident engineer. 

North-Eastern Division. 

Engineer’s office at Plattsburgh, Clinton county, New York. 


on State Land Survey. 


49 


Middle Eastern Division. 

Engineer’s office, Port Henry, Essex county, New York. 

South-Eastern Division. 

Engineer’s office, Ticonderoga, Essex county, near line of War¬ 
ren county. 

North-Western Division. 

Engineers office, Raymondville, St. Lawrence county, New York. 

Middle Western Division. 

Engineer’s office, Naumburgli, Lewis county, New York. 

South-Western Division. 

The work in this division was never permanently assigned ; dif¬ 
ferent officers having charge of the work at different times. The 
central division and the middle western and middle southern divis¬ 
ions have been similarly circumstanced, the special surveys in those 
divisions having been from time to time under the direction of the 
engineers in charge of the adjacent divisions. This was not the re¬ 
sult of method, but arose from necessity, the appropriations being 
too small to maintain these last-mentioned divisions on a permanent 
basis. 

Salaries of Division Officers. 

The salaries of the assistants in charge of these divisions have 
hitherto been $104 per month, with the addition of traveling ex¬ 
penses (transportation and subsistence). In a few instances a com¬ 
mutation of subsistence was allowed, or limits were fixed within 
which the subsistence expenditures were required to be kept. Re¬ 
pairs of instruments were also made at the expense of the survey 
upon the principle that the accuracy of the work required the best 
instrumental means, the maintenance of the perfection of which 
might be endangered if the assistants were required to personally 
keep them in repair. A parsimonious man will sometimes work 
with an instrument in poor condition if it has to be repaired at his 
own expense, and the value of work thus done will be greatly 
lowered. By promptly ordering any instrument not in perfect re¬ 
pair back to the instrument-maker, and by keeping in reserve extra 
instruments for such contingencies, work has been greatly facilitated 
and accuracy secured. 

The transportation, subsistence and repairs of instruments are un¬ 
certain quantities, and before being paid for are subject to rigid 
[Assem. Doc. No. 80.] 7 


50 


Report of Yerplanck Colvin 


scrutiny, anql are only settled after the sworn statement has passed the 
examination of the accountant at the central office, and after a final 
examination by the Superintendent. The accounts are then trans- 
''mitted to the State Comptroller where they undergo a final examina¬ 
tion before they are audited and ordered paid. 

This system, as regards field expenses, transportation, subsistence, 
repairs of instruments and the like, applies to every division of the 
survey work, and to every officer or employee. 

The entire system has been developed since 1872, by the Super¬ 
intendent, and a series of blanks for reports of various kinds, for 
requisitions, for returns of property, financial statements, blanks for 
vouchers, etc.,have been devised by him and are in use upon the survey. 

Sub-Reports. 

The division officers are required to report at the close of each 
week their progress, their expenditures, pay-roll, bills paid, bills 
due, supplies required, signals built (with diagram maps showing tri¬ 
angulation stations visible from) and any facts relative to the geology, 
mineralogy, botany or zooiogy which they may deem of interest or 
importance. These last features of their reports relate, of course, 
to those matters which are of the nature of discoveries or at least of 
hitherto unknown facts relating to the natural history of the coun¬ 
try which have been noticed. They are not directed to make re¬ 
searches in natural history, but original papers written by savans or 
members of the survey staff, or by residents of the region whose 
information would otherwise be lost, are given a place in the reports 
in order to preserve the data. 

Subordinates. 

The division officer engaged in work in accessible districts is 
allowed a force of seven assistants, which is increased if the difficul¬ 
ties and importance of the work require it. 

His staff consists of one transitman, one topographer, two flagmen, 
two “chainmen” (with steel tape), one teamster,* cook and camp 
keeper. The transitman and topographer’s duties are sometimes 
combined ; the chief of party assisting at the transit. 

In dense woods a number of axemen are required, and when the 
work reaches any distance from roads, a corps of packmen are em¬ 
ployed, the forests on account of swamps, fallen timber and precipi¬ 
tous rocks being generally impassable for pack horses. 

The sal <u ics of the above employees range from ninety down to 
forty dollars per month and expenses. 


* When working near roads; replaced by packmen, etc., when the work is in wilderness. 





on State Land Survey. 


51 


In engaging men they are informed that they are expected to 
assist upon the work in many ways ; they are expected to carry 
knapsacks proportioned to their several strengths, they are to furnish 
and care for their own camp equipments, blankets, tins, knives, forks 
and the like, which are to remain their own property. These rules have 
sometimes to be modified or relaxed on account of the carelessness 
or negligence of subordinates, but the officer who issues blankets, 
clothing, etc., to any subordinate is held personally responsible. 

Work of the Divisions. 

The work of the divisions is the execution of the detailed cadas¬ 
tral surveys. As far as executed to the present time they may be 
subdivided into 

First. Surveys of secondary or topographical base-lines. 

Second. Surveys of boundary lines, i. e., county lines, town or 
township lines, and the adjacent or included topography. 

Third. Surveys of roads, etc., and their location in connection with 
the topography. 

Fourth. Surveys of rivers and other waters, including meanders 
where the detail maps are of a sufficient scale to show the features 
of ground measured. When surveys are made of the larger lakes and 
rivers with much minuteness of detail in the map work, this is classed 
as hydrography. 

Wherever practicable, in any division, these different classes of 
work are combined and carried on at the same time. 

Topography. 

Along lines and in dense forests the topography is sketched to 
scale, in topographical field books of different dimensions. 

In the open country, for large lakes and from mountain tops, the 
Plane Table is used, the field drafting being made on a large scale 
for convenience in sketching, and reduced for publication. 

Triangulation. 

The many distinct and widely separated surveys in the several 
counties are connected and tied together by a precise system of 
triangulation based upon lines furnished by the United States Coast 
Survey, numerous bases of verification being afforded by the same 
surveys along the bonders of the region. The western limit of the 
region is along Lake Ontario, where the base-lines and triangulation 
of the United States Army Engineer Survey of the great lakes is 
also available for verification, while the survey of the shore line of 
Lake Ontario avd the river St. Lawrence afford a topographical 


52 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


base which can be accurately laid down upon any map scale and 
made the line of departure for work upon the western border. 

The first base-lines used by the Adirondack Survey were those 
on Lake Champlain measured by the hydrographic parties of the 
Coast Survey. Subsequently those were replaced by the great 
'•geodetic lines of the Coast Survey primary triangulation, which 
were developed westward from the Atlantic seaboard to the heights 
fronting upon Lake Champlain, Lake George and the Hudson river 
near Glens Falls and Saratoga. This change of base-lines and con¬ 
nection with the primary lines of United States Coast Survey, renders 
necessary the recomputation of the trigonometrical and geodesic 
work and will take much time. 

FlELD-WoRk. 

The field-work of the triangulation as been executed by the 
Superintendent personally or under his immediate direction, with 
the best instrumental means at command, the observations having 
been taken, whenever practicable, during the morning and evening 
hours which are most free from irregular refraction. 

All angular observations are repeated first in the direct and then 
in the reverse position of the instrument, the observations being con¬ 
tinued until the requisite degree of accuracy has been attained. 

The horizontal measurements are made at a different hour from 
the vertical measurements; the trigonometrical leveling being con¬ 
fined to horizons of observation from selected stations. The system 
followed upon the Adirondack Survey for trigonometrical leveling 
affords very precise results, and is hereafter explained in the descrip¬ 
tion of the leveling operations. 

Instruments. 

The theodolites used in the work of triangnlation were constructed 
by Troughton and Simms ; by William Wtirdemann and Fautli & 
Company of Washington, Stackpole and Brother of New York, by 
Oerthling of Berlin, and other makers. They were employed in the 
measurement of the horizontal angles. The greater portion of the 
measurements have been made with the Wtirdemann and Fauth 
instruments, which have given excellent results, the triangles at 
times closing almost exactly after the corrections for spherical excess 
have been applied. Whenever any considerable differences in the 
closure of triangles have been found they have been usually trace¬ 
able to observations taken during periods of irregular refraction, 


on State Land Survey, 


53 


in the heated portion of the day. Rejecting such observations the 
closures are exceedingly satisfactory. 

In the detail surveys on transit lines and in the geodetic leveling, 
the instruments used were chiefly those of W. and L. E. Gurley of 
Troy, and Stackpole of New York, and were found to afford ex¬ 
tremely satisfactory results. 

Signals. 

The signals employed upon this survey are various in kind. 
Automatic and hand heliotropes, and other light reflecting signals 
have been used with success; two forms of these signals, devised by 
the Superintendent, having been of great utility. For night signals 
lamps of various styles have been used, one form devised by the 
Superintendent being believed to be the most effective signal lamp 
yet invented. All these devices are, however, very expensive as 
they require the constant presence of a signalman for long 
periods of time and at all the signal stations, in any horizon of 
observation, at the same time. The impracticability of the use of 
these methods at all stations of observation has made it necessary to 
limit their employment to stations not otherwise visible. At all 
other stations the pyramidical signal of timber with a high central 
mast has been employed. 

In executing the triangulation more than one hundred and twenty 
signal stations have been used, leaving about an equal number of 
primary stations to be hereafter occupied to perfect the plan of the 
cadastral survey. 

These signal stations rise from twenty-five to sixty or eighty feet 
above the ground or rock at the station, or sufficiently high to be seen 
above any fringe of forest or other intervening obstacle. They are 
heavily framed of very substantial timber and secured to the rock at 
their bases by heavy iron bolts let into drill-holes and tamped with 
lead. The center-pole is at the exact symmetric center of the signal, 
and its position is marked in the native rock or stone monument by 
a deep drill-hole in which is set a nickel-plated copper bolt bearing 
the number of the station, the title of the survey, and the year in 
which the work was done. 

These signals are constructed by a signal corps under a head 
signalman. The salaries paid are in accordance with annual con¬ 
tracts for skilled labor. 

Triangulation. 

Should the full plan of triangulation be carried out over all the 
counties mentioned in the Law of 1883, the final adjustment of the 


54 


RePOKT OF YeRPLANCK CoLVIN 


entire triangulation by least squares will involve the computation of 
nearly one thousand conditional equations. These may be separated 
into as many blocks of quadrilaterals and triangles as may be considered 
most convenient and consistent with precision. The amount of labor 
involved in these computations will be very great, and in view of the 
uncertanties surrounding the progress of the work it has been deemed 
best to make only preliminary computations, and to await the closure 
of field-work before the final adjustment shall be attempted. An¬ 
other and equally potent reason for deferring this work of adjust¬ 
ment is the fact that the basis of survey — the lines of the United 
States Coast Survey transcontinental triangulation and Army Engi¬ 
neer work on the Great Lakes — has not been finally adjusted into 
one harmonious system ; and although the differences in the linear 
values and astronomical coordinates of these two great national 
surveys is now known at one point •— the data is not sufficient 
for the final adjustment of the State surveys dependent thereon. 

The adjustment of a portion of the primary work of the Adiron¬ 
dack Survey by least squares is in progress, but may not be com¬ 
puted for some time. 

This is a scientific question and should be deferred until the triangu¬ 
lation is completed. In the meantime trigonometrical computations 
sufficient for map purposes will be made, and the topographical 
drafting and the publications will proceed as fast as the requisite 
appropriations are afforded. 

Leveling. 

The division of levels is only second in importance to the depart¬ 
ment ot triangulation — affording as precise a measurement of 
heights as the triangulation does of distances. 

The levels of the Adirondack Survey are made with engineer’s 
levels of the best construction, upon standard graduated rods divided 
in duplicate English and French measures. The rod is held in a 
tripod, with leveling head, and is made precisely vertical and clamped. 
The duplicate readings are recorded and then converted by compu¬ 
tation and compared. If they agree, the first readings are retained, 
otherwise repetitions are made until agreement is reached. By this 
system every sighting of the level and setting of the target affords 
two rod readings by different verniers upon independent scales. 

The Adirondack Survey levels are connected with the mean tide 
level datum at Governor’s Island in New York harbor by two lines 
of levels, one run b} the Coast Survey, the other by the Army 
Engineers to the commencement of the Erie canal at Albany. From 


on State Land Survey. 


55 


this point northward the Adirondack Survey levels extend by vari¬ 
ous routes as far north as Canada, and as far west as the Black river 
near Lowville. 

Seventy-tour separate sections or lines of levels have been run 
with precision, along the various valleys, through mountain passes 
or between lakes, establishing their heights and determining their 
availability for reservoir purposes or the routes by which water can 
be conducted to them or from them. 

Necessity for Precise Leveling. 

If the surface of the earth were everywhere smooth, without any 
elevation or depression, it might be considered as a perfect spheroid. 
If such w r ere the precise figure of the earth, it would have no topo¬ 
graphy, for there would be no mountains, seas, hills, lakes, rivers or 
drainage. 

Difference of level, therefore, is the sole cause of the existence of 
topography; in other words the heights and depths constitute the 
topography, and a topographical survey must therefore include the 
primary elements of height and depth that form what is called the 
relief or, more popularly the u natural features ” of the region. 

These primary elements are the highest and the lowest points. The 
summits of the mountains, passes and divides form the maximum ; 
the deep depressions of the lakes, the long gradients of the river 
valleys forms the minimum. Between these limits are located all of 
the characteristics of the ground of which a knowledge is important. 

The triangulation and plane-table work, it is true, give the loca¬ 
tion and form of these natural features, but the leveling, or height 
measurement alone determines whether they rise in mountain walls 
as insuperable impediments to progress, or are spread out into broad 
plains, easy of access. No topographical sketch, however nicely 
drawn, will indicate to any eye whether the country is passable or 
impassable unless some height measurements have been made the 
basis of the drawing. 

To afford elevated datums for the trigonometrical leveling, and 
for the determination of the local co-efficients of refraction, many of 
the principal Adirondack mountain peaks were directly measured 
by leveling from tide, one of them * being the focus of three lines 
of levels. Among these important summits are 

Some of the more important of these horizon stations are given in 
the following table : 


* Mt. Marcy or Tahawus. 





Giving heights of important Horizon-stations, 


56 


Report of V erplank Colvin 


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57 


on State Land Survey. 

These are, however, but incidents in the work of height measure¬ 
ment, for the total number of instrument and rod stations made in 
executing the seventy-four lines of levels mentioned, is fourteen thou¬ 
sand one hundred and eighty-six. 

The lines are preserved by more than a thousand bench-marks 
and permanent stations cut into the rock. The bench-marks of this 
survey are usually cut upon the native rock or upon great boulders, 
and are indicated by smooth knobs surrounded by a circular groove 
cut deeply into the stone. The recorded height refers to the top of 
the embossed knob, and is found by noting the number of the 
bench-mark (which is also marked by deeply-cut figures in the rock), 
when, by reference to the reports of the survey, the recorded height 
above mean tide level of the bench-mark in question will be found. 

From these bench-marks, side lines can be started with precision 
in any direction and heights above tide determined by vertical limb 
of transit or plane table alidade in the topographical work. These 
bench-marks are, in fact, indispensable in the preparation of the 
topographical maps, as upon them depend all the heights — the 
mountains and mountain ranges and contours. 

Trigonometrical Leveling. 

The preceding description of the direct methods of geodesic level¬ 
ing have already given an idea of the methods pursued on this sur¬ 
vey for the determination of heights. From the mountains which 
have been carefully measured by direct leveling the trigonometrical 
leveling extends by a system of zenith distances in which maximum 
and minimum zenith distance stations having been selected and 
their true zenith distances determined by many observations a series 
of differences read with bifilar micrometer and delicate level afford 
all of the other heights within the horizon. 

This special method of trigonometrical leveling is capable of great 
precision in its results. Inasmuch as most of the mountain tops are 
forest covered, the wooded ridges are merely referred to with suffi¬ 
cient care to insure accuracy in the contouring and heights, and the 
reciprocal zenith distances are limited, necessarily, to the signal 
stations occupied. 

By the process just indicated zenith distances can be observed, 
during favorable weather, with wonderful precision. It is, in fact, 
an extension of the application of the zenith telescope principle to 
terrestrial work. While the application of the micrometer eye-piece 
[Assem. Doc. No. 80.] 8 


I 


58 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


to this purpose is not novel, yet the method devised by the writer ? 
whereby all of the micrometer readings are thrown between maxi¬ 
mum and minumun limits of nearly absolute zenith distance, is be¬ 
lieved to be new, and this last-mentioned improvement certainly 
serves to give the geometrical limits so desirable in forming the con- 
1 ditional equations in the final adjustment of the work by least squares. 

Besides this primary trigonometrical leveling, secondary and ter¬ 
tiary observations for the inferior heights are taken with light port¬ 
able instruments by the common direct measurement of vertical 
angles. 

The formulae used in computation are the same as those employed 
upon all other similar surveys. 

In the primary vertical work and in the secondary work, where 
the distances render it necessary, due attention is paid to the baro¬ 
metric pressure and temperature of the air at the time of observation, 
especially where reciprocal zenith distances are not observed. 

Little of this work has, as yet, been published. The reductions 
are in progress. 

Plane-Table Topography. 

The plane-table work of the Adirondack Survey has been by neces¬ 
sity, owing to the denseness of the forest, confined to two classes of 
ground, viz.: (1st), The region commanded by the open mountain 
summits, and (2d), The partially settled and cleared lands along 
the river valleys. 

Connected plane-table surveys have been made of the eastern- 
central mountain groups, and detached plane-table sketches of lake, 
and other sections where the topography could be worked in by this 
process. 

A system of plane-table sheets for the whole region has been per¬ 
fected, but the completion of the plane-table work involves the 
erection of a great number of high tripods and towers upon nearly 
every commanding summit throughout the entire extent of the forest- 
covered region, and for this no means has yet been afforded. 

The topography of the survey of the upper Hudson is to a great 
extent plane-table work and has resulted in the production of a 
number of beautiful manuscript maps. In other districts the forest 
l has so shut in the topographers that they have preferred to work 
with light transits from station to station, platting angles and sketch¬ 
ing topography wherever the openings in the forest permitted. This 
latter method is merely a modification of the plane-table process 



on State Land Survey. 


59 


suited to the conditions governing the present work The topo¬ 
graphical work by this modified process is probably superior to the 
small scale plane-table work; is more of an engineering work, and 
affords a more detailed record of the physical features than the ordi- 
nary plane-table process. The field-book record of distances meas¬ 
ured and angles observed makes the groundwork of the maps of this 
system independent of the purely graphical work, which can under 
this system be reproduced on any scale by any of the various 
mechanical devices now in use for such purposes. 

It is proposed during the coming season to reduce from the plane- 
table sheets and the topographical notes of the modified system a 
map of the region as far as surveyed. This map is intended to be a 
wall-map or a scale of 1:126,720th or one-half an inch to the mile, 
which will make a map sheet of 81 by 84 inches. This scale is the 
largest, far a wall-map, that is consistent with the area indicated. 
The scale adopted permits the surrounding settlements and the 
approaches to the region to be shown, together with the location of 
the base-lines and the inclosing systems of triangulation of the United 
States Coast and Geodetic Survey and of the Great Lake Survey of 
the Army Engineers which form the geometric limits of the State 
Land Survey. 

An atlas of the entire region upon a larger scale is also in prepa¬ 
ration. 

Cabinet. 

The survey maintains a cabinet, in which are placed the blocks 
cut from the line and corner trees in the search for the boundaries 
of the ancient land patents. Those blocks only are preserved which 
have been identified as from boundary trees at definite points upon 
the lines which are being restored. Upon each block is placed a 
memorandum from the records of this office, specifying the 
date of the original marking, the name of the patent, the date 
on which the block was cut, and other facts relating to the sur¬ 
vey and restoration of the line. These are termed the “ proof 
blocks ” of the boundary line surveys, the identification of the 
boundaries sought being greatly aided by a study of the number of 
annual rings of woody growth which have accumulated since the 
first marking of the tree. An incision is made into the wood “ across 
the grain,” not, however, exactly at right angles with the vertical 
in which the tree grew, but in an oblique plane. By this means the 
section of the tree made shows each layer of the fibre on an enlarged 


60 


Report of Yerplanck Colvin 


or diagonal scale, convenient for counting tlie annual annulars which 
is done with the aid of a microscope in order to insure the count¬ 
ing of the occasional tissue-like rings (or layers) which mark the 
years of feeble growth. 

The blocks have been taken from the following species of trees, 
which are mentioned in the order of their relative goodness in the 


preservation of survey marks, viz.: 


White pine.. 
Norway pine. 
Black spruce. 
Hemlock 
Tamarack.. . 
Yellow birch 

Maple. 

Elms. 

Cedar. 

( Balsam. 

•< Beech.. 

( White birch. 


. Pinus strobus 

. Pinus resinosa 

. Abies nigra 

. Abies canadensis 

. Larix Americana 

. Betula excelsa 

Acer saccharinum , Acer rubrum , etc A 

. TJlmus Americana 

. [Arbor Vitos) Thuja occidentals 

. Abies balsamea 

.. Bag us sylvetica 

.. Betula populifolia 


The iron-wood [Ostrya), and blue beech (carpinus ?) have not been 
so generally marked as to admit of an opinion as to their perma¬ 
nence. Indeed the scale above given is variable. The white cedar 
and the balsam would stand high in the list, but for the frequency 
with which they are found with dead and decayed cores, in which 
the line-marks are lost. This last remark applies particularly to 
trees of these species in lowlands and swamps. The beech seems to 
live to a good age if the bark be not disturbed ; the old line-mark — 
three blazes on each side — is, however, very trying to this tree, 
although some thrifty specimens manage to perfectly heal the wounds 
in from thirty to sixty years so as to show hardly a trace in the bark, 
except a grayish mildewed-like space upon its surface barely discern¬ 
ible, and only intelligible to a thorough expert. 

The collection of proof-blocks is contained in glass cases along the 
walls of the spacious map-room of the Survey in the Capitol. It 
forms a rare, if not a unique study in economic botany, and is 
probably the only collection from such marked trees, whose history 
and dates of marking are unquestionable. It affords the data for 
the study of the interesting question which has arisen as to the 
reality of the systematic growth of trees in our forests, and answers 
the question in the affirmative. 

These proof-blocks are thus preserved as part of the records and 


* The A. pennsylvanicum is sometimes met with but is rarely found bearing old marks. 




















on State Land Survey. 


61 


evidence by which the new stone monuments and nickel-plated 
copper bolts have been set by this Survey to permanently preserve 
the lines and corners. 

Library. 

Only a small library of technical works of reference is maintained. 
Exchanges received for the State Library are transmitted thereto ; 
exchanges made by authors (who may be attached to the Survey) of 
their private publications are not subject to official direction. 

The extra bound volumes of reports of the Survey are printed 
only by order of the Legislature, a joint resolution of the Senate 
and Assembly being requisite. The editions published being thus 
dependent upon legislative action in each year range from 500 to 
10,000 copies in accordance with the amount of popular interest in 
the work. The distribution to citizens is chiefly through the mem¬ 
bers of the Legislature, a moderate edition being given the Superin¬ 
tendent for his own use. 

Cost of the Survey. 

The appropriations made by the State for the Adirondack Survey 
between 1872 and 1883 was $71,775, and for State Land Survey 
since the last date mentioned $15,000.* This, of course, does not 
include all the personal expenses of the Superintendent or his own 
personal investments in the Survey, or his unpaid salary, all of 
which, as heretofore explained, amounts to a large additional sum. 

The printing, lithographing and engraving is done by the State 
Printer, under his regular legislative contract. This contract has 
been in recent times let to one bidder, estimating in gross for the 
entire amount of State printing. The cost of the printing of the 
reports and maps, etc., cannot, therefore, be estimated separately, 
the contractor being allowed to make no extra charge if the total 
amount of State printing bo even greater than he had estimated. 

Publications. 

The publications of the Survey which have been issued are as 
follows * 

First Annual Report, Albany, 1872, 1 vol. 8vo., 43 pages, one 
plate and two maps. 

Second Annual Report , Albany, 1873, 1 vol. Svo., 306 pages, 15 
plates and five maps. 

Third to Seventh Report , including condensed reports for the 


* Report of Comptroller Chapin, Senate Document 135, of 1884. 



62 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


years 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877 and 1878. 1 vol. 8vo., 536 pages, 32 
engraved plates and seven maps. 

Eighth to Twelfth Report (not as yet published), a considerable 
volume containing much valuable data. 

Report on State Land Survey, for the year 1883. Albany, 1884 
1 vol. 8vo., of 343 pages; 13 photo engravings, with large folding 
lithograph plates and maps of the surveys made. 

In addition to these works are numerous pamphlets on scientific 
subjects connected with the region under survey, which have been 
prepared and published at the private expense of the Superintendent. 

The Iron Deposits of North Eastern New York, by George 
Chahoon, of AuSable, IST. Y; 1 pamphlet, 16 pages, 8vo. 

Plants of the Summit of Mt. Marcy, by Prof. Charles H. Peck; 
1 pamphlet, 12 pages, 8vo. 

Lepidoptera of the Adirondack Region , from collections by W. 
W. Hill, Esq., by Prof. J. A. Lintner, 1 pamphlet, 26 pages, 8vo. 

Winter Fauna of Alt. Marcy , by Verplanck Colvin, 1 pamphlet, 
8 vo., 12 pages. 

Memoranda Relative to Adirondack Fishes , by Fred. Mather, 
Assistant to United States Fish Commission, 1 pamphlet, 56 pages, 
8vo., and plate figuring new species. 

Besides these there are pamphlet reports which are republished in 
the bound volumes to be hereafter issued. 

None of these publications are placed on sale. 

Benefits of the Survey. 

The absolute necessity for these surveys is sufficiently understood 
by all land-owners and State officers who are brought into contact 
with the wild lands in the northern district of New York. Until 
these surveys began to be made under the present management and 
methods, the interior of the Adirondack region was a terra incognita, 
geographically as unknown as portions of Africa. 

The publications of this Survey, which were begun in 1S72, were in¬ 
tentionally made descriptive of the country explored, and are admit¬ 
ted to have had a powerful influence in developing all the resources 
of that portion of the State. It is admitted that millions of dollars 
have been brought into this part of the State through the instru¬ 
mentality of these publications. 

The measurements, the monuments locating boundaries, the stone 
bench-marks or height monuments, and the manuscript topographical 
maps are of incalculable value. These records and results of the 





on State Land Survey. 


63 


Survey are to be prepared for printing in condensed form, and it is 
hoped that the publication will be effected in such a manner as will 
render them accessible to all requiring them. 

The recovery of disputed lands, the prevention of trespasses upon 
the valuable timbered territory of the State, the settling of bounda¬ 
ries in a manner to prevent endless legal disputes are among the prac¬ 
tical results of these surveys, and have already more than repaid the 
cost of the work which has been done. 

Scientific Results. 

The scientific results are chiefly in the direction of geographical 
discoverv. 

V 

The first discovery, location, and height measurement of Lake 
Tear-of-the-Clouds, the highest lake source of the Hudson, and the 
tracing cut to their sources of the unexplored Adirondack rivers 
are among these results. 

The location of most of the rivers by precise topographical surveys 
for the first time, renders the mapping of those streams possible. 

Upon the accurately determined water-sheds, thus found, the rain¬ 
fall observations of the Survey which have been continued for years, 
afford accurate data for canal reservoir estimates and for other 
hydraulic investigations. 

The thousands of geographical positions determined render the 
platting of lakes, mountains and land-lines possible. 

The determination of the altitudes by precise leveling operations 
forms the groundwork of the contour mapping of the country, and 
determines the relative levels of lakes and reservoirs, and the 
gradients of mountain-passes which, with the topography, will show 
the engineering possibilities of the country. 

The improvements in instruments, in new forms and methods in 
the higher classes, and, in the new forms of helio-signals, — im¬ 
proved rain and snow-gauges and other meteorological and scientific 
instruments, would require more space for description than the scope 
of the present paper will admit, and they have moreover been 
sufficiently explained in the previous reports of the Survey. 

About one-half of the region has now been covered by the trigono¬ 
metrical measurements, and the topographical sketching is well ad¬ 
vanced. Upon the completion of the field-work, computations and 
drafting, it is anticipated 'that all the results will be published in 
permanent form. 


I 


G4 Report of Yerplanck Colvin 

Map Engraving. 

The element most essential to the utilization of the results of the 
Survey is the perfection of the processes of engraving and printing 
of the maps which represent the results of the work. 

By photo-lithographing fair results may be obtained, but to secure 
these results a special style of drafting must be followed, which is 
usually characterized by heavy lines foreign to the best engraved 
maps. 

What is most necessary in the engraved maps is that they shall 
show the lines, boundaries, and distances, the streams, contours, 
and general topography at the exact distances, and exact positions 
recorded by the measurements of the Survey, shown upon the 
original maps. 

Such engraving is a scientific work, and requires as much care and 
attention as the original drafting, and is a more toilsome and difficult 
work. 

The usual process, followed by contractors in this State, is to en¬ 
grave such maps as form a portion of the public printing upon stone, 
and to transfer impressions and print by lithographic processes. 

The hurry with which all such public printing is carried on, and 
the limitations of the contract system, prevent the production of the 
best and most exact engraving under the existing system. 

Special reports containing scientific data should be made the sub¬ 
ject of special contracts, which should provide for the precise en¬ 
graving of maps, etc., whether upon copper or otherwise, under the 
supervision of the engineers and surveyors who did the work. 

The engraving should be done in the offices of the Survey, under 
the same methods of supervision, comparison and inspection which 
were followed in the original drafting. 

The proof-reading of maps is extremely difficult, and the correc¬ 
tion of an error in the engraving often well nigh impossible; and 
entirely so, if the error in engraving consist of an incorrect repro¬ 
duction of the distances shown upon the original map. 

Small defects upon copper-plate engravings can be remedied, but 
the best remedy consists in the avoidance of error by the allowance 
of means sufficient to secure the best engravers, by affording ample 
time to the engraver to insure care and precision, and by the execu¬ 
tion of the work of map engraving in the offices of the Survey, under 
the constant inspection of the scientific experts of the office. 


on State Land Survey. 


65 




APPENDIX 0. 

Maps Ready for Publication. 

As an example of the important nature of the data on hand in 
- this office and ready for publication, the annexed map showing the 
location of the south-east corner of the county of Franklin is given. 

The true location of this important county corner has been in 
doubt for very many years. It is usually located about two miles 
to the eastward of the Preston ponds and beyond the sources of 
Cold river, which is an affluent of the Raquette. 

The corner was traced out and reference monuments preserving its 
location placed by survey parties, by and under the direction of the 
Superintendent of the Adirondack and State Land Surveys. The 
documentary evidence that shows where the original compass lines 
were run, consisting of original manuscript records, were found in 
the possession of the heirs and assigns of the patentees of the great 
MaComb’s purchase. With the aid of this data, the old boundaries 
were identified at points in the settlements, far distant from the 
corner, and where tradition, old fence-lines locating the limits of 
property, granted under ancient deeds, proved that these exterior 
points on the lines were so established as to be unquestionable. 
From these points four transit and traverse lines were run back into 
the wilderness, connecting with the ancient boundaries that from 
time to time were found and restored, until the four new survey 
lines, separating and identifying the old lines of marked trees 
met at the corners of the Great Tracts, and at length proved where 
the original south-east corner of MaComb’s purchase really is. The 
south-east corner of the county of Franklin was also consequently 
determined and the location of the north boundary of Totten and 
Crossfield’s purchase at this point as well as the south-west corner 
of the Old Military Tract. 

The location of the south line of the Old Military Tract is depend¬ 
ent upon old marked trees traced out and discovered by the Super¬ 
intendent personally, and located by a transit line run from the 
shore of Lake Champlain at Westport across the mountains—the 
Giant of the Talley, the Wolf-Jaws, the John’s Brook range. Mt. 
Coldon, Little Mt. McMartin, Mt. McIntyre range, the Indian pass 
and Mt. Henderson to the corner in the upper Preston pond. 

The location of the boundary line between the counties of Essex 


[Assem. Doc. No. 80.] 


9 


66 


Report of Uerplanck Colvin 


and Franklin from the Saranac lakes southward (being also the 
boundary between the MaComb’s purchase of four millions of acres 
and the Old Military Tract Townships) was made by a transit line 
run under my direction by assistant M. Blake, who traced the ancient 
line of marked trees southward—with careful measurements, all 
angles and deflections being carefully determined with the transit; 
and, crossing all the mountain ridges between Mt. Seward and the 
Wallface mountain range found the county line to corner in the 
Preston ponds in complete conformity with the lines run by the 
other survey parties, in the place shown upon the map annexed. 

The location of the north boundary of Totten and Crossfield’s 
purchase west of this point was made by a survey party under assistant 
S. II. Snell, a transit traverse being run along the line of anciently 
marked trees by his transitman Mr. Rush, from the Raquette river 
eastward, up the valley of Cold river and over the shoulders of the 
mountains, the work resulting in this party also meeting at the same 
corner as that reached by the transit line run from Westport west¬ 
ward by the Superintendent. 

Now came a most important and unexpected discovery. The 
surveyors measuring southward from the Saranac lakes found cer¬ 
tain old township corners marked on the trees in the forests north¬ 
ward of the Preston ponds. Having the field-notes of the anciently 
measured distances along the bounds of these townships with them, 
they were interested in finding that the anciently recorded distances 
to the south-east corner of the township terminated in a lake. When 
their measurements had reached the same distance southward they 
arrived at the Middle Preston pond, and subsequent search, at right 
angles to the line westward, revealed an ancient line never before 
known to official records, but which was soon identified, by the 
marks upon the trees, to be the south boundary line of Ma¬ 
Comb’s purchase as marked by compass surveyors at the begin¬ 
ning of the present century*. Extending the west line of the 
Old Military Tract, still further southward, it was found to intersect 
with the north line of Totten and Crossfield’s purchase in the Upper 

*The boundaries of the townships were marked upon the trees with the aid of the 
magnetic compass by order of the proprietors. The work was done under the direction of 
W. B. Wright, and a photo-lithograph of the map, transmitted by him to the proprietors 
in 1799, indicating the boundaries of township No. 27, shows at the south-east corner the 
unmistakable form of the Preston ponds with their outlet (known as Cold river). The 
locations of the adjacent mountains, also, to which we have measured, prove conclusively 
that the corners, as found and restored bv the Adirondack Survey and shown upon the 
large map annexed, are the true and only possible corners of these great patents The 
photographic reproduction of Wright’s map accompanies this report 





on State Land Survey. 67 

Preston pond, tlie corner being midway in the north part of the 
lake, as shown on the large map hereto annexed. 

A comparison with other recent maps of this portion of the State 
will show the important nature of this discovery and emphasize the 
necessity for the publication of the rest of these maps and of all of 
the results of the surveys that have already been made 


APPENDIX D. 

Monuments. 

A great number of stone monuments have been set at important 
corners and along lines which have been searched out and restored 
with the greatest difficulty, after years of study among the old 
records and laborious measurements in the field. 

The sudden cutting off of the means provided by the Legislature 
for the survey by the veto of the appropriation bill by the Governor 
has prevented the placing of the record tablets and the inscriptions 
relative to the Survey data upon a great number of these monuments. 

It is indispensably necessary that means should be provided for 
the placing of the record tablets in the places cut for them in the 
stone of each of the monuments. For the sake of economy, in con¬ 
sequence of the smallness of the appropriations preventing the em¬ 
ployment of skilled stonecutters to carve upon stone the necessary 
inscriptions describing the lines and corners monumented, a form of 
nickel-plated copper bolt was devised by the Superintendent to bear 
the necessary inscription. 

These bolts are practically indestructible. The heads of the bolts 
are flattened out in the forms of tablets, and upon these tablets 
are inscribed the necessary record and description of the corner. 
The nickel-plating of those which have been exposed to the storms 
and weather for over five years is as bright as when first placed. 

The cutting upon stone of these inscriptions was found to be very 
expensive. The pay and transportation of the skilled stonecutters 
in the wilderness being more than could be afforded with the appro¬ 
priations given. The cost of lettering in stone one monument, in¬ 
telligibly, would in some cases amount to twenty five dollars, while 
the bright nickel plated copper bolt can be procured at from two and 
a half to three dollars each. 

This completion of the monumenting or marking of the monu¬ 
ments is absolutely necessary and will not be expensive. It is 
urgently hoped that the means will be provided for the work. 















































































































































APPENDIX E. 


TABLE OF ALTITUDES 

IN THE 


ADIRONDACK REGION. 


The following table of altitudes has been prepared from the field 
measurements of the Adirondack Survey, and is inserted for the use 
of those who desire the data for investigations in connection with 
hydrology and forestry, and for the general improvement and develop¬ 
ment of the region. The list only includes well-known stations 
familiar to land-owners, travelers and tourists of the region. The 
great mass of measurements, with descriptions of the locations of the 
bench-marks or monuments with profiles, maps and other details of 
interest and importance, will be given in the records of the survey now 
in preparation for publication, one volume of which is proposed to be 
devoted to the results of leveling and the discussion of the observa¬ 
tions by which the elevations have been obtained. 

In the present tables, many elevations heretofore only based upon 
barometric observations, are now given from measurements made with 
level and rod from tide. 





































TABLE OF ALTITUDES IN THE ADIRONDACK REGION. 

Explanation. —The method by which the Altitudes have been determined is explained by the letters of reference annexed: 


KEPORT OF VeEPLANUK COLVIK. 


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Table of Altitudes in the Adirondack Region — ( Continued ). 


72 


Report of Yerplanck Colvin 


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Table of Altitudes in the Adirondack Region — ( Continued ). 


74 


Report of Yerplanck Colvin 


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Table of Altitudes in the Adirondack Region — (Continued). 


76 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


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Table oe Altitudes in the Adirondack Region— (Continued.) 


78 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 




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Table of Altitudes in the Adirondack Region — ( Continued .) 


80 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


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Table of Altitudes in the Adirondack Region — ( Continued .) 


82 


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Table oe Altitudes in the Adirondack Region— (Continued.) 


84 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


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Table of Altitudes in the Adirondack Region — ( Continued .) 


86 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


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Table of Altitudes in the Adirondack Region — ( Continued .) 


88 


Report of Verplanck Colvin. 


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APPENDIX F. 


CORRESPONDENCE 

OF 

COMPTROLLER 


RELATING TO 


STATE LANDS. 


The followiDg letters contain corrections to the list of State lands 
published in the earlier reports of this Survey, and should be exam¬ 
ined by those who may have occasion to refer to the list: 

STATE OF NEW YORK 

Comptroller’s Office, ) 
Albany, July 1 1th, 1883. j 

Verplanck Colvin, Supt. Adirondack Survey , Albany, N. Y.: 

Sir — The lands described as 

“ Clinton County, 

Duerville Patent, 


Lot 42. 250 a and 

Refugee Tract. 

420 a Lots. 

Lot 194, E. i . 210 a ” 


are no longer State property, and should therefore be struck from 
your li of State lands in said county. 

Respectfully yours, 

IRA DAVENPORT, ' 

Comptroller. 


[Assem. Doc. No. 80.] 12 







90 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


STATE OF NEW YORK 

Comptroller’s Office, 

Albany, July VOth, 1883. 

Yerplanck Colvin, Supt. Adirondack Survey , Albany , N. Y.: 

«[ Sir — The land described as 

“ Clinton County, 

Pion Patent, 

Lot 5, b’d N. by Lewie, E. by Turner, and S. lot line. 25 a ,” 

is no longer State property, and should therefore be struck from 
your list of State lands in said county. 

Respectfully yours, 

IRA DAVENPORT, 

Comptroller. 


STATE OF NEW YORK 

Comptroller’s Office, ) 

Albany, September 1st, 1883. J 

Yerplanck Colvin, Supt. Adirondack Survey , Albany , N. Y.: 
Sir — The land described as 

“ Clinton County, 

Pion Patent, 

Lot 4, N. E. J, except 27 a , N. E. cor. thereof. 98 a ,” 

I 

is no longer State property, and should, therefore, be struck from 
your list of State lands in said county. 

Respectfully yours, 

SIDNEY W. PARK, 

Chief Tax Clerk. 


STATE OF NEW YORK 

Comptroller’s Office, ) 

Albany, December 31^, 1883. j 

Yerplanck Colvin, Supt. Adirondack Survey , Albany, lY. Y. ; 

Sir —You are hereby notified that the lands described as 

“ Essex County, 

Old Military Tract, 

Township 11, 

Lot 217 . 200 a ,” 







I 


on State Land Survey. 91 

is no longer State property, and should, therefore, be struck from 
your list of State lands. 

By order of the Comptroller, 

SIDNEY W. PARK, 

Chief Tax Cleric. 


STATE OF NEW YORK 

Comptroller’s Office, ) 

Albany, January 9th , 1884. j 

Verplanck Colvin, Supt. Adirondack Survey , Albany , N. Y.: 

Sir — You are hereby notified that the lands described as 

“ Hamilton County, 

Totten and Crosstield’s Purchase, 

Township 37, 

Lots 13, 33, 71 to 82, inc., 95 to 99 inc., 101 to 106, inc., and 112 
and 113,” 

are no longer State property, and should, therefore, be struck from 
your list of State lands. 

Respectfully yours, 

ALFRED C. CHAPIN, 

Comptroller. 


STATE OF NEW YORK 

Comptroller’s Office, 

Albany, January 18 th, 1884. 


Verplanck Colvin, Supt. Adirondack Survey , Albany , N. Y.: 

Sir — You are hereby notified that the State no longer holds the 
1853 tax-sale title to the land described as 

“ Clinton County, 

Old Military Tract, 

Township 4, 


Lot. 15, E. § of S. 


2134 a ,” 


nor the 1881 tax sale title to the land described as 

“ Essex County, 

Old Military Tract, 
Township No. 11, 

Lot 221. 








92 


Report of "V erplanck Colvin 


you should, therefore, erase them from your lists of State 
lands. 

Respectfully yours, 

TH. E. BENEDICT, 

Deputy Comptroller. 


STATE OF NEW YORK 

i 

Comptroller’s Office, ) 

Albany, January 22 d, 1884. f 

Verplanck Colvin, Supt. Adirondack Survey , Albany , N. Y.: 

Sir — You are hereby notified that the State no longer holds title 
to the lands in Essex county, described as 

“ Morgan (Jonas) Patent of 4,800 a , 

Lot 16. 100 a ,” 

it having been redeemed therefrom on the 19th inst., and 

“ Totten and Crossfield’s Purchase, 

Township 14, 

Lot 32. 160 a ,” 

the 1877 tax-sale thereof having been canceled on the 19th inst. 

You should, therefore, erase them from your list of State 
lands. 

Respectfully yours, 

th/e. benedict, 

Deputy Comptroller. 


STATE OP NEW YORK 


Comptroller’s Office, 

Albany, January %5th, 1884. 


Verplanck Colvin, Albany , N. Y.: 

Sir — The land described as 

“ Herkimer County, 

Jersey field Patent, 

Lot 57, S. W. cor., square 476^ a , and on the W. line adj. aforesaid 
476 T W square, 

in all. 491 ^*” 







93 


t 


on State Land Survey. 

which was included in the list furnished you of lands acquired by 
the State from the 1881 tax-sale, is not State property, and should, 
therefore, be struck from said list. 

Respectfully yours, 

TH. E. BENEDICT, 

Deputy Comptroller . 


STATE OF NEW YORK 

Comptroller’s Office, | 

Albany, February 23 d, 1884. J 

Yerplanck Colvin, Supt. Adirondack Survey , Albany, N. Y.: 

Sir — The following described lands, which were included in the 
list of State lands sent you from this office, no longer being State 
property, should be struck therefrom, viz. : 

“ Clinton County, 

Old Military Tract, 

Township 5, 

Lots 2 to 12, inc., 28 to 33, inc., Lots 48, 50 to 66, inc., and 68, 69 


and 70.” 

“Essex County, 

Old Military Tract, 

Township 1 and 2, 

Richard’s Survey, 

Lot 42, W. part.. 100 a , 

“ Township 12, 

Thorn’s Survey, 

Lot 22, S. i . 80 a , 

“59, do. 80 a , 

“ 143, W. i. 80 a , 

<l Roaring Brook Tract, 

Lot 47 . 260 a ,” 

“Franklin County, 

Gore, East of Township 9, Old Military Tract, 

Lot 9, S. E. cor. 30 a .” 

“ Macomb’s Purchase, 

Great Tract 1, 

Township 23, 

S. E. I, 

N. end of 144 a , N. W. cor., &c... 1 ll a , 

S. “ “ “ « &c. 33 a ,” 












94 


Report of Yerplanck Colvin 


“ Old Military Tract, 

Township 10, 

Lots 220, 293 and 354.” 

Respectfully yours, 

TH. E. BENEDICT, 

Deputy Comptroller. 


' STATE OF NEW YORK 

Comptroller’s Office, ) 

Albany, March 1th , 1S84. ) 

Yerplanck Colvin, Supt. Adirondack Survey , Albany , N. Y. : 

Sir — The land described as 

\ 

“ Herkimer County, 

Jersey field Patent, 

Lot 41, N. J, Ex. 50 a S. E. cor. and 50 a S. W. cor. thereof, resi¬ 
dent land of David Hodge, 425 a ,” 

having been redeemed from our 1881 tax-sale, should be struck from 
your list of lands bid in thereat by the State. 

Respectfully yours, 

TH. E. BENEDICT, 

Deputy Comptroller. 


STATE OF NEW YORK 

Comptroller’s Office, ) 

Albany, March 8 th, 1884. \ 

Yerplanck Colvin, Supt. Adirondack Survey , Albany, N. Y.: 
Sir — The lands described as 

“ Clinton County, 

Pi on Patent, 

Lot 4, S. W. cor., b’d E. by Turner.« .. 7 a , 

and 

Hamilton County, 

Bergen’s Purchase, 

Patent No. 7, 

Loti,. 270 a ,’ 

no longer being State property, should be struck from list of State 
lands. Respectfully yours, 

TH. E. BENEDICT, 

Deputy Comptroller . 






on State Land Survey. 


95 


STATE OF NEW YORK 

Comptroller’s Office, ) 

Albany, April 22 d, 1884. \ 

Verplanck Colvin, Supt. Adirondack Survey, Albany, N. Y.: 

Sir — The following described ]and, being no longer State prop¬ 
erty, should be struck from your list of State lands, viz.: 

“Warren County, 

Rear division, 

Palmer’s Purchase, 

Great Lot 3, 

N. i of 3,150 a , S. pt... 1,575®,’’ 

Respectfully yours, 

TH. E. BENEDICT, 

Deputy Comptroller. 


STATE OF NEW YORK 

Comptroller’s Office, ) 

Albany, April 25th, 1884. \ 

Verplanck Colvin, Supt. Adirondack Survey, Albany, N. Y .. 
Sir — As the State now holds no title to the lands described as 

“ Herkimer County, 

Vrooman’s Patent, 

Lot 9 all in Wilmurt, except 60 a W. end thereof. 74 a ,” 


it should be struck from your list of State lands. 

Respectfullv yours, 

TH. E. BENEDICT, 

Deputy Comvtroller 


STATE OF NEW YORK 

Comptroller’s Office, \ 

Albany, April 26th, 1884. J 

Verplanck Colvin, Supt. Adirondack Survey, Albany, N. Y.: 
Sir — The land described as 

“Fulton County, 

Lott and Low’s Patent, 

Lot 29, S. W. cor.. . 4V 







96 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


is no longer State property, and should, therefore, be struck from 
your list of State lands. 

Respectfully yours, 

TH. E. BENEDICT, 

Deputy Comptroller. 


STATE OF NEW YORK 

Comptroller’s Office, ) 

Albany, April 28 th, 1884. f 

Verplanck Colvin, Supt. Adirondack Survey , Albany , N. Y.: 

Sir — The land described as 

“Clinton County, 

Gores, 

Livingston Gore, 

Lot 22, S. E. cor., 39% ex. S. Eell’s 3 a in S. E. cor., 10% b’d N. by 
10 a owned by A. Norris, E. by lot line, S. by 3 a owned by Eells, and 
W. by 15 a of McMurray, and 11% b’d N. by Farrell, E. by Town 
line, S. by Allen, and W. by McMurray, 15%” 

should be placed on the list of State lands, recently sent you, it 
having been erroneously omitted therefrom by us. 

Respectfully yours, 

TH. E. BENEDICT, 

Deputy Comptroller . 


STATE OF NEW YORK 

Comptroller’s Office, 1 

Albany, April 28 th, 1884. j 

Verplanck Colvin, Supt. Adirondack Survey , Albany , N. 7.: 

Sir — Lot 250, Oxbow Tract, Hamilton county, is not now owned 
by the State, and should, therefore, be struck from your list of State 
lands. 

Respectfully yours, 

TH. E. BENEDICT, 

Deputy Comvtroller. 




\ 

on State Land Survey. 


97 


STATE OF NEW YOEK 

Comptroller’s Office, ) 

Albany, April 30tfA, 1884. j 

Verplanck Colvin, Supt. Adirondack Survey , Albany , Af. Y.: 
Sir — The land described as 

“ Clinton County, 

Old Military Tract, 

Township 6, 

Lot 34, N. W. cor., 94 r. wide N. and S, and 120 r. long, E. and 
W. 70V’ 

being no longer State property, should be struck from your list of 
State lands. 

Respectfully yours, 

TH. E. BENEDICT, 

Deputy Comptroller. 


STATE OF NEW YORK 

Comptroller’s Office, ) 

Albany, May l%th, 1884. j 

Verplanck Colvin, Supt. Adirondack Survey , Albany , N. Y.: 
Sir —The lands described as 

“ Fulton County, 

Jerseyfield Patent, 


Lot 60, S. E. i or S. E. cor. 250 a , 

and “ 61 W. part, S. W. cor., or W. cor. 100 a ,” 


being no longer State property, should be erased from your list of 
State lands. 

Respectfully yours, 

TH. E. BENEDICT, 

Deputy Comptroller. 


STATE OF NEW YORK 

Comptroller’s Office, ) 

Albany, June 7th, 1884. j 

Verplanck Colvin, Supt. Adirondack Survey , Albany , N. Y.: 

Sir — The land described as 

[Assem. Doc. No. 80.] 13 







98 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


“ Essex County, 

Totten and Crossfield’s Purchase, 

Township 49, 

Lot 12, ex. 25 a IS". E. cor. and 253 a S. E. cor. 547 a ,” 

not being State property, should be struck from your list of State 
lands. 

Respectfully yours, 

TH. E BENEDICT, 

Deputy Comptroller. 


STATE OF NEW YORK 

Comptroller’s Office, ) 

Albany, June 1 6th, 1884. j 

Verplanck Colvin, Supt. Adirondack Survey , Albany , W. Y.: 
Sir — The land described as 

“ Saratoga County, 

Glen and 44 others Patent, 

Lot 112. 250 a ,” 

being no longer State property, should be erased from your list of 
State lands. 

Respectfully yours, 

TH. E. BENEDICT, 

Deputy Comptroller. 


STATE OF NEW YORK 

Comptroller’s Office, ) 

Albany, June 20 th, 1884. j 

Verplanck Colvin, Supt. Adirondack Survey , Albany, N. Y.: 
Sir — The land described as 

“ Clinton County, 

Duerville Patent, 

Lot 41. 250 a ,” 

is no longer claimed by the State, and should, therefore, be struck 
from your list of State lands. 

Respectfully yours, 

TH. E. BENEDICT, 

Deputy Comptroller. 







99 




on State Land Survey. 

STATE OF NEW YORK 

Comptroller’s Office, 

Albany, August 11 th, 1884. 

Yerplanck Colvin, Supt. Adirondack Survey, Albany , N. Y.: 
Sir — Title to the lauds described as 

“ Hamilton County, 

Totten and Crossfield’s Purchase, 

Township 34, 

Ex. 4,000 a s’ly end of township, l,280 a Gospel, School and Litera¬ 
ture lots,” &c., 13,375 a . 

“ Saratoga County, 

Kayaderosseras Patent, 

22d allotment, 

Great Lot 13, 

Sub. F., B’d N. by lands of W. W. French, E. by lands of Charles 
E. Benedict, S. by lands of Perry Arnold, and W. by lands of 
Standish Bros. 75 a ,” 

being no longer owned by the State, you should erase them from 
your list of State lands. 

Respectfully yours, 

TH. E. BENEDICT, 

Deputy Comptroller. 


STATE OF NEW YORK 

Comptroller’s Office, ) 

Albany, August 23 d, 1884. j 

Yerplanck Colvin, Supt. Adirondack Survey, Albany, N. Y.: 

Sir — The land described as 

“ St. Lawrence Co., 

Lisbon Township, 

Mile Square Lots, 

Range 6, 

Lots 4 and 5, Sub. 1. 26^°/,” 

is no longer claimed by the State, and should, therefore, be struck 
from your list of State lands. 

Respectfully yours, 

TH.' E. BENEDICT, 

Deputy Comptroller. 











100 Report of Verplanck Colvin on State Land Survey. 


STATE OF NEW YORK 

Comptroller’s Office, ) 

Albany, October 15 th, 1884. j 

Verplanck Colvin, Supt. Adirondack, /Survey , Albany , N . Y .: 

Sir — You are hereby notified that the State no longer holds title 
to the land described as 

“ Clinton County, 

Plattsburgh Old Patent, 

Lot 66, S. E. J, or S. E. cor. 100 a .” 

It should, therefore, be struck from your list of State lands. 

Respectfully yours, 

TH. E. BENEDICT, 

Deputy Comptroller. 



Map No. 2 . 

N. Y. State Land Survey. Annual Report; 1886. 

(PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHED FROM ANCIENT MAP.) 



of.®. Ip 3. 


c-i zJiolP 

at *5<r> 

GREAT LOT N - i. OF 

Maco m b's Purchase. 















































2300 


SH/P N 9 : 2 7 


2300 


2200 


SOUTH 


WACOM 


p urchas f 


2300 V 


BENCH Af AHK 


\BOYE MEAN TIDE LEYE 
T GOVERNORS ISLAND 
NEW YORK HARBOR, f 


WORTH 


TOTTEN & CROSSFIELD'S 


PURtHASE 


[2700, 


_ —--JLOvK* 

c °mn~s~TP2n, 


HDzht 


WICK'S CAMPS 


TTHOm 


ASTRONO M ! CAL STATION 


£600 


Axels \vjj 


STATE LAND 


VERPLANCK COLVIN, 


SUPERINTENDENT. 


MAP 


n OLSOMS 


LAMP 


SHOWING THE CLOSURE OF THE LINES 


RUN BY TRANSIT 


FOR THE DETERMINATION OF THE 


SOUTH 


EASTERLY CORNER 


COUNTY 


OF FRANKLIN 


2400 


INTERSECTING 


comer of that tract in the Upper Preston pond. This line was run by 
Verplanck Colzrin, Superintendent. 

LINE traversed with Transit along the east boundary of the County of Franklin 
(Townships No. 24 and No. 27 in great tract No. / of MaComb's purchase ) from 
Saranac Lakes to County comer was run by M. Blake, Assistant. 

LINE traversed by Transit from Paquette River to soulh-zvest comer of the Old Military tract, 
along the north boundary of Totten & Crossfield's purchase, was run by S. II. Snell and N. I.. Rush. 

ALL of these lines were traced to the same comer in the Upper Preston Pond. 

HEIGHTS of Bench Marks have been determined by lines of Geodetic levels of Adirondack Survey, and 
are given in English feet above the mean tide datum at Governors Island, New York Harbor. 

DECLINA TION OF THE NEEDLE. 

Large deposits of magnetic iron ore occur in this section. The magnetic variation, consequently, changes (with 
apparent irregularity) on changing locality. 

At the Azimuth stations at the Preston Ponds the following declinations (“Magnetic variations ”) were observed. 

At station A Declination — 8° jj'. t West. 

“ “ B “ = p° 22'. t “ 

“ “ C “ = f 02'. 2 “ 

Each of the above being the mean of Observations at each Station, September 12th 1884. 


COUNTY OF ESSEX 


WITH THE 


TRUE LOCATION OF THE 


PRESTON PONDS 


SCALE =1:5.000 


1000 


LITHOGRAPHED FROM THE ORIGINAL.—ALDAN I, ISS*. 


fa 



































































































































































































* 




















































New York State Land Survey 


VERPLANCK COLVIN, 



Moss Encj. Co., N.Y. 


Superintendent. 


Wekh, Parsons & Co , Printers, Albany, N.Y. 


PLATE No 1. 


REPORT 188A 


SIGNAL, St. LAWRENCE. 

STATION CONNECTING TRI ANGULATION WITH THE RIVER ST. LAWRENCE 
AND THE BOUNDARY LINE BETWEEN UNITED STATES AND CANADA. 




























STATE OF NEW YORK. 


REPORT 

ON THE 


Adirondack 





TO THE YEAR 1884 

WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE LOCATION OF THE BOUNDARIES OF THE 

GREAT LAND PATENTS 


AND AN ACCOUNT OF THE 

VARIATION OF THE MAGNETIC NEEDLE IN NORTHERN NEW YORK, 

BETWEEN THE YEARS 

1766 and 1883, 

WITH RAINFALL AND TEMPERATURE TABLES, AND A LIST OF THE 

STATE LANDS. 

B V 

VERPLANCK COLVIN, 

SUPERINTENDENT OF SURVEYS. 


ALBANY: 

WEED, PARSONS AND COMPANY, PRINTERS. 

• 1884. 
























fi 


A 


Entered according to act of Congress in tbe year one thousand eight hundred and 

eighty-six, 

In the office of the Librarian of Congress 
[All rights reserved ] 












STATE OF NEW YORK. 


v 


No. 126. 


IJST ASSEMBLY, 

% 

February 28, 1884. 


ANNUAL REPORT 


OF THE 


SUPERINTENDENT OF THE ADIRONDACK AND 

STATE LAND SURVEYS. 


To the Honorable Titus S heard, Speaker of the Assembly: 

Sir — Pursuant to chapter 370 of the Laws of 1878, and chapter 
499 of the Laws of 1883, I have the honor to submit the accom¬ 
panying reports on the progress of the surveys and the location of 
the public lands in the counties of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, 
Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Saratoga, St. Lawrence and Warren, to 
the Legislature. 

Very respectfully yours, 

VERPLANCK COLVIN, 


Superintendent. 








MW YOKE STATE LAND SURVEY. 


ACCOUNT CURRENT. 

1883-1884. 


Dr. 

By appropriation, under chapter 499 of the Laws of 

1883.. $15,000 00 


Cr. 

By account of expenditures on State Land Survey, 
rendered to the Comptroller, with vouchers there¬ 


for, December 3d, 1883. $7,722 39 

By account of expenditures on State Land Survey, 
rendered to the Comptroller, with vouchers there¬ 
for, on February 28th, 1883. 5,646 50 

By outstanding bills, accounts rendered, wages paya¬ 
ble to men at close of work and other work in pro¬ 
gress. 1,631 11 

Total. $15,000 00 


Albany, February 29 t/i, 18S4. 

The foregoing is a correct abstract of the accounts of expendi¬ 
tures upon this Survey, The field expenses of the several sections 
or divisions of the work were in each department from $700 to 
$1,600, The details, with bills showfing each and every item, will be 
found in the office of the Comptroller. No allowance for salary or 
compensation has been made to the superintendent. 

VERPLANCK COLYIN. 

/Superintendent. 















REPORT 


ON THE PROGRESS OF THE SURVEY OF THE 

STATE LANDS. 


To the Honorable the Legislature of the State of New York: 

The work of the Adirondack surve} T , circumscribed by the limited 
appropriations, during the past season has been confined to the 
preparation of maps, the arrangement of data and computations, and 
the supervision of tlie engraving of the maps and plates contained 
in the large volume of reports transmitted to the last Legislature. 

My personal attention was withdrawn from these office duties by 
the passage of the act-of June 2d, 18S3 (Chap. 499 of the Laws of 1883), 
by which the location and survey of all the various detached portions 
of “ State lands in the counties of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Ful¬ 
ton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Saratoga, St. Lawrence and War. 
ren,” were placed under my direction. In accordance with this law 
I have the honor to submit the following 

REPORT. 

In order that the work accomplished may be understood, it is 
necessary to give an abstract of the requirements of the law direct¬ 
ing the survey of the State lands in the counties mentioned. 

The first section directs the Superintendent of the Adirondack 
Survey to make surveys showing the location and area of the lands- 

It also requires that this new work shall be connected with the 
surveys of the interior. 

It further requires that the position of such lands shall be shown 
upon a map or maps. 

The second section of the law directs that “ the methods of survey 
shall be in accordance with those now in use on the Adirondack 
Survey” and that copies of all maps relating to such State lands 



4 


Repoet *of Yerplanck Colvin 


shall be filed in the office of the Comptroller and State Engineer and 
Surveyor, and that the Superintendent shall, within sixty days after 
the meeting of the Legislature, render a report to the Legislature of 
the results of the work. 

In order to carry out the provisions of the law, I commenced on 
the 4th of June, 1883, the organization of the Survey parties. 

One general principle was adopted as a rule governing every sec¬ 
tion of the work of the Survey, in fhe restoration of the boundaries : 

The re-discovery of the original lines and corners, as iden¬ 
tified by means of the original line marks and proved by witnesses, 
both by indisputable oral and documentary evidence; 

The re-marking and monumenting of none but the original 
lines, of patents tracts or lots, separating and eliminating them from 
the more recent and erroneous compass lines. 

In advance of the actual field work it was necessary to obtain a 
list of the lands owned by the State as recorded in the books of 
the Comptroller. Application was therefore made to the Comp¬ 
troller for an abstract of the State lands then recorded, and 
upon the receipt of this abstract, the approximate location of the 
several tracts, pieces and parcels of land in the counties mentioned 
in the law was studied upon the preliminary maps of those counties, 
which had been prepared during the preceding survey of the wil¬ 
derness. 

The area of the several pieces thus recorded as State property was 
found to be more than five hundred and seventy-three thousand 
acres, nearly all in detached portions, except those interior townships 
heretofore located. 

It was found that the Comptroller and the officers of the Tax 
Department were unable to locate many pieces of State land, owing 
to the uncertainty and the obliteration of the boundary lines, and 
that valuable timber was in different places being removed from 
the State lands without the authorities possessing the power to pre¬ 
vent it or to prove the trespass or punish the offenders. 

The State lands, therefore, whose boundaries were most uncertain 
and, in consequence of suspected trespass, most required to be lo¬ 
cated by survey, were held to be the tracts which deserved the most 
immediate attention, and the following letter was, therefore, ad¬ 
dressed to the Comptroller: 


on State Land Survey. 
STATE OF NEW TO UK: 


5 


Adirondack Survey Office, ) 
Albany, June 12th, 1883. j 

Hon. Ira Davenport, 

Comptroller : 

Sir — In accordance with the provisions of chapter 499 of the 
Laws of 1883, I am directed to make surveys, showing the loca¬ 
tion and area of the different detached portions of the State lands 
in all of the north-eastern comities of the State — the work to be 
done in accordance with the methods now in use on the Adirondack 
Survey. 

In entering upon this work I would request that if any particu¬ 
lar portions of the State lands, in your judgment, require immediate 
survey, you will call my attention to the same, and direct your 
deputy and the chief of the tax department to furnish me with such 
memoranda as will enable me to take up these special surveys at an 
early day, 

Very respectfully yours, 

VERPLANCK COLYIN, 
Super in tendent. 

The following communication was received, in reply, from the 
Comptroller: 


STATE OF NEW YORK: 

Comptroller’s Office, ) 
Albany, June 18th, 1883. j 

Verflanck Colvin, 

Superintendent N. Y. State Adirondack Survey , 

Albany JV. Y. : 

Sir — Yours of the 12th inst. was duly received. In reply 
thereto I will state, that it is deemed of great importance that, pur¬ 
suant to the provisions of chapter 499, Laws of 1883, the following 
surveys should first be made by you, viz.: 

First. One definitely establishing the outlines and dimensions of 
township 5, Old Military Tract, Clinton county, and of each of its 
subdivisions. A map should be made of the same, showing the 
location, dimensions and acres of the numbered lots, both by the 
old and the new survey, the line between the towns of Dannemora 
and Ellen burgh, with the dimensions and acres of each new survey 
lot in each town, together with the dimensions and acreage of each 
part of each new survey lot covered by any old survey lot. 


6 


Report of Yerplanck Col yin 


By all tlie papers and records to which we yet have access, it 
appears that the whole of said township 5 was by the new survey 
divided into thirty lots in width from E. to W., and ten lots in 
length from N. to S., and we further find that a copy of said new 
survey map was filed in the Clinton county clerk’s office prior to the 
year 1835. The importance of the survey and map required, which 
is greatly needed, can hardly be overestimated, as the “ Prison 
Lands,” so called, consisting of about ten thousand acres, are located 
in said township, and cannot now be accurately located or described, 
either for sale or the prosecution qf supposed trespassers thereon, 
owing to conflicting maps and irreconcilable discrepancies. As 
matters now stand, it is “ confusion worse confounded,” for not a 
piece of land therein can now be accurately or reliably described. 

We further suggest that in order to make said maps of still 
greater value and service, the lands in said township “ from which 
the timber has been removed,” be faithfully designated by coloring, 
or by some topographical mark which you may adopt, and that the 
lakes, streams, roads, and the general topography of the land be also 
plainly designated thereon. 

Second. One of the north lines of the Jerseyfield Patent, the 
accuracy of the location of which has been called in question, and on 
which depends the location of a very large quantity of State Land. 
At present we locate said lands by lines heretofore run, and recog¬ 
nized as authoritative; but if, as claimed, they are widely out of 
place by reason of the erroneous location of the north line of said 
patent on which they are based, such error, owing to the rapid felling 
of the forests in that section, cannot be too quickly rectified and 
the true line too firmlv established. 

t/ 

Third. Said chapter authorizes only a survey of State Lands. 
The State owns no land adjoining the line between Lewis and 
Herkimer counties, but if, in your opinion, the accurate location of 
the line between Hamilton and Herkimer counties, and of the larcre 
quantity of State Lands bordering on and adjacent thereto, depends 
on the location of said Lewis and Herkimer county line, or if you 
are of the opinion that said chapter will authorize your survey 
thereof, then and in such case, we call your attention to the great 
importance, by the plan indicated, of obtaining the correct location 
of said line between said counties of Herkimer and Lewis. 

Respectfully yours, 

IRA DAVENPORT, 

Comptroller . 


on State Land Survey. 


1 


Upon the receipt of this communication I caused thorough 
searches to be made through the different State Departments 
for all ancient records relating to the old land patents, which 
I thought would aid in determining the manner in which the 
re-survey and re-location of these important boundaries should be un¬ 
dertaken. Research was also made for the original grants, deeds 
and descriptions of all of the tracts in the several counties wherein 
State lands were situated, and extracts made from all records which 
might aid in identifying the boundaries. It was soon apparent that 
the records were both imperfect and conflicting, the Colonial and 
early State records differing very materially in the description of 
what should have been identical boundaries. These differences or 
errors were thought by many to be proof of the absolute falsity of 
the Colonial surveys. This was not, however, my opinion. From 
long acquaintance with the ancient compass lines I was inclined to be¬ 
lieve that the differences in most old records arose from the hasty 
manner in which the surveys of that period had been made and the 
lack of observations of the variation of the magnetic needle. Iliad 
confidence that, where the original forest remained, if any line had 
been run and marked upon the trees as described in the original 
field notes, careful study of the topography of the section with search 
for such marked trees would not fail to reveal enough to identify 
them, even though the marks should have become ingrown deeply 
into the hearts of the trees. 

Upon the staff of the preceding survey I had been fortunate in 
securing a number of experienced forest surveyors, whose acquaint¬ 
ance with old marked lines rendered them of great value for such 
work. These men, being the inheritors of the woodcraft of, and 
acquainted with the methods pursued by the Colonial surveyors in 
marking the boundaries of the early patents and grants, were not 
only of service in tracing the lines, but as experts and local authori¬ 
ties as to such lines their services were needed to aid in proving and 
attesting the lines when found. 

It was my intention to place the measurements and survey work 
under the modern system with the refined methods and instruments 
of the present day in the hands of skilful engineers, wherever transit 
or theodolite work should be needed to determine the real location 
of lines, or their connection —as was required by the law — with the 
surveys of the interior, but the retracing of lines of ancient marked 
trees required the presence of expert forest surveyors. 

It was soon found that before it would be practicable to make any 


8 


Keport of Verplanck Colvin 


complete plan for the field work over so vast an area—exceeding 
half a million of acres of wild land —it would be necessary to pre¬ 
pare diagrams or plans showing the approximate location of the several 
tracts of State land graphically upon paper, on which, side by side, by 
the use of variously colored lines the questionable boundaries and prob¬ 
lems as to disputed corners, etc., could be given a preliminary study. 
This done, written instructions could be prepared for the guidance 
of the surveyors; these, together with a tracing ot the diagram of 
the plan of work, would be sufficient to guide the assistant in charge 
of any one of the many detached survey parties, which I soon found 
it would be necessary to place in the field. 

Verbatim copies were also needed of the ancient field notes 
and records, in order to identify the marked trees with the original 
notes so as to compare the general description of the country and 
aid the search for the lost lines. 

To do this work promptly a considerable clerical force was found 
to be necessary and was immediately organized. 

Clerks were sent to the offices of the Secretary of State, the State 
Engineer and Surveyor and the Comptroller, and papers and books, 
many of them long disused and discolored by age, were brought to 
light, copied and compared. 

Some of these ancient documents were very curious and interesting, 
but they often failed to be intelligible, so that the work of copying 
them was, at times, a work of interpretation if not of translation. 

The most toilsome research often failed to give any information, 
even of the date when the old patents were surveyed. This was a 
matter of great consequence, inasmuch as the boundary lines were 
originally run with the magnetic needle, and, in order to retrace such 
lines, it is essential that the date of the original survey should be 
known, to make the proper allowance for the change in the variation 
of the needle. 

This preparatory work also included the repairing of instruments 
and the arrangement of camp equipments for the survey parties. 

Many of the instruments, in being brought down from the icy 
ledges of mountain summits at the close of field-work the preceding 
winter, (December 18S2), had been jarred and otherwise injured by 
breaking of cleats within their boxes and required thorough repairing/ 

In order to accomplish the field-work promptly, I found that it 
would be necessary to place a separate survey party in each county; 
and to tie the work together and connect it with the interior triangu¬ 
lation of the Adirondack Survey, twenty-inch and twelve-inch 


on State Land Sukvey. 


9 


t 


theodolites would be required in the measurement of the larger tri. 
angles—the lands in Clinton county being over one hundred 
miles from those in Fulton county, and only to be connected, by 
special triangles based upon the triangle sides of the Adiron¬ 
dack Survey. To do this in compliance with the law, which re¬ 
quired that the “methods of survey should be in accordance with 
those now in use on the Adirondack Survey,” the large theodolites 
were needed and were placed in the hands of the instrument makers, 
Stackpole & Brother of New York, and improvements made in 
their construction from drafts which I prepared. These improve¬ 
ments made the instruments much more effective and the progress 
of the work more rapid. 

The transit theodolites and solar transits were placed in the hands 
of W. & L. E. Gurley, of Troy, for thorough repair. Messrs. Gurley 
also had charge of all the smaller instruments, stadia rods, transit- 
staffs with tripods (adjusted by levels) and the compasses, used in 
searching for and retracing the old lines. 

A great amount of correspondence was entailed by the compli¬ 
cated nature of the work. The State lands are adjacent to valuable 
tracts of private property, and owners were naturally much inter¬ 
ested in the work of the survey. Many inquiries also had to be 
made as to private records, and a voluminous correspondence arose 
between the Superintendent and the resident Engineers as to the 
methods proper to be taken and the details of the work proposed in 
each of the ten counties. Some idea of the great labor involved in 
this portion of the work may be obtained from the fact 1 that thou¬ 
sands of letters and dispatches were received, and that more than 
one thousand answers, dispatches and letters of instruction as to 
details of work were written by the Superintendent, copied and sent 
out, and recorded in a book of abstracts. 

No portion of the work was taken up in the field, until written 
contracts as to rates of compensation had been made with the assistants 
and surveyors employed. Only by such means could exact estimates 
be made of the expense of the work, and its cost at any given mo¬ 
ment be ascertained. The regular weekly reports of work done, 
expenses, and time and pay-roll, were in accordance with the Man¬ 
ual of the Adirondack Survey, required from each division, and 
greatly aided the Superintendent in watching and directing the 
progress of the work. 

[ Assem. Doc. No. 126.] 


2 


10 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


ORGANIZATION. 

Tlie subdivision and arrangement of the several sections of work 
was as follows: 

The general direction by the Superintendent, aided by assistant 
M. Blake, in charge of office, and several clerks. 

[Temporary clerks were employed in the office copying and 
arranging data preliminary to the field-work. Subsequently most 
of them took the field as rodmen, chainmen, etc.] 

Thirteen survey and signal parties were placed in the field during 
1883. 

(1.) Primary Triangulation. (Connection of the detached sur¬ 
veys with the lines of the Adirondack Survey in the interior, so as 
to plat the same upon the maps.) Several counties. By the Super¬ 
intendent. 

(2.) Secondary Triangulation. (Same object.) Several coun¬ 
ties. M. Blake, in charge. 

(3.) Clinton County. (Old Military Tract, Township No. 5 ; 
Prison Lands, Dannemora; Chazy and Chateaugay Lakes. II. K. 
Averill, in charge. 

(4.) Fulton and Herkimer Counties. First Section. (South 
line of Vrooman’s Patent, and Western part of Lawrence Patent, 
and Jerseyfield line. S. H. Snell, in charge. 

(5.) Second section (Jerseyfield line to Glen, Bleeker and Lansing 
line), J. B. Koetteritz, in charge; G. Jones, line expert; L. 
Kelly, line expert. 

(6.) Lewis and Herkimer Counties. (Restoration and location 
of ancient lines.) 

S. II. Snell, in charge, after completion 1st section of Jerseyfield line. 

(7.) Hamilton County. (Totten and Crossfield’s purchase, Moose 
River Tract, Benson and Lawrence Tracts, etc.) 

J. Francisco, in charge ; L. Kelley, associate surveyor on south line 
of Benson and Hamilton county line. 

(8.) St. Lawrence County. (Macomb’s purchase, township of 
Granshue.) 

S. B. Crandall, in charge. 

(9.) Essex County. (Township 1 and 12, Old Military Tract, 
Totten and Crossfield purchase, Roaring Brook Tract, etc.) 

G. L. Locke, retracing and monumenting lines under immediate 
direction of Assistant Blake. 

(10.) Franklin County. First section (Macomb’s purchase). 
Connection of lines by S. J. Farnsworth, Assistant. 


ox State Land Survey. 


11 


(11.) Second section. Boundary between townships 15 and 18 
retraced under a special contract by S. Wardner. 

(12.) Warren County. Work limited to correction of bearings 
to true azimuths to facilitate the accurate preparation of maps of 
State lands. 

In Saratoga county measurements were made locating boundaries 
of lots in Palmer’s purchase as hereafter described. 

Much topographical work was done and accurate leveling in various 
sections, where the altitudes were considered of importance. The 
leveling was done by Mr. N. L. Rush. 

(13.) biGNAL Work. In the counties of Pulton, Hamilton and 
Essex, by signalman Brown ; in Lewis county, by signalman Snell; 
in Clinton county, by signalman Sperry; in St. Lawrence, etc., by 
special contracts. 

Field-Work. 

Before entering upon a detailed statement of the measurements 
made in each of the above mentioned sections, in the location of the 
lands, the following brief abstracts from my journal are given and 
seem to be necessary to show the manner in which the work was 
conducted. 

By the 25th of June the contracts had been made, the repairs 
of the larger instruments, with the preparation of tents, etc., were 
all in progress, and the first survey party was placed in the field. 
The details of their work will be found in the account of the restora¬ 
tion of the first section of the Jerseyfield boundary line. 

I remained with this party in their search for the initial point of 
the line and left them on the 28th inst., having set their work be¬ 
fore them. 

From June 28th to July 6th, the regular office duties at Albany, 
occupied my attention. On the evening of the 6th I proceeded 
to Little Falls and the following day reached Jerseyfield lake, on 
the boundary line between Herkimer and Hamilton counties. 

From July 7th to the lltli, I gave close attention to the work of 
the survey party then on the north line of Jerse 3 7 field. Their meas¬ 
urements were examined and tested, and instructions given for the 
extension of the work eastward, as more particularly explained in 
the section relating to the location of that line. July 12th and 13th 
were devoted to office work at the capitol. 

On the evening of July 14th, I proceeded to Forestport on the Black 
river in Oneida county, which was appointed as the rendezvous of 


« 


12 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


the preliminary party directed to locate boundaries in the counties 
of Herkimer and Lewis. The 15tli was Sunday. 

On the 16th the preliminary party was organized and camp made 
near the west bounds of the county of Herkimer. The location of 
this county line requiring to be shown upon the maps, and being in¬ 
volved in doubt, was the first question taken up. Search was made 
by different sections of the survey party, and a plan finally adopted 
for the retracing of this line and its connection with the signal sta¬ 
tion of the Adirondack Survey, by which the true geographical posi¬ 
tion of the line and its connection^with the land lines and allotments 
as desired by the Comptroller, would be obtained. I remained with 
this party until July 23d, when leaving them to trace the line and 
measure offsets to signal stations I returned to the capitol where 
telegrams and correspondence had accumulated. 

On July 28tli I returned to Herkimer county, where on the evening 
of the 29th I was rejoined by surveyor Snell and party at the 
village of Grant. 

On August 4th the work of this survey party being well started, 
and over a mile of line run, I left them in charge of Mr. Snell, and 
proceeded across the county of Herkimer to Moorehouseville, in the 
county of Hamilton, reconnoitering sites for signal stations to con¬ 
nect the Herkimer county line with the work on the Jersey field line. 

Observations of the sun were secured at Morehouseville with solar 
transit, and the variation of the needle found to be 8° 24' west of 
true north. Lines supposed by original surveyors to be nearly on 
the true meridian, were found to be several degrees in error. 

On August 6th, by way of Piseco and Oxbow lakes, I reached Lake 
Pleasant in Hamilton county, and ascertained the movements and 
progress of one of the signal parties that had been sent out. 

On the 7th I reached Albany again, and resumed office work, 
being busied on the 8th and 9th with correspondence and making 
out drafts, to be forwarded to chiefs of parties to meet their running 
expenses. 

August 10th my attendance was desired by the Senate special com¬ 
mittee on State Lands, and between the 10th and 20th inst. I accompa¬ 
nied the committee in their examination of the lands through the 
counties of Warren, Essex, Hamilton, Franklin and St. Lawrence. 

While aiding the committee in their work I was able to maintain 
the management of the survey parties in the several counties 
by telegrams and dispatches sent and received at Blue mountain, 
Saranac lakes and St. Regis, etc., and orders by special messengers. 


on State Land Survey. 


13 


August 22d I left tlie Senate committee and proceeded from Cran¬ 
berry lake to Moosehead mountain on the Raquette to inspect the 
survey work in that section. This mountain I measured the same 
day, and from the signal station on tlie summit obtained angles 
connecting the survey work proceeding in the county of St. Lawrence 
under assistant Crandall with the Adirondack Survey triangulation. 

August 23d, I ascended Bog mountain, which was to be the 
terminus of Mr. Crandall’s transit line, connecting this survey of the 
State lands in Granshue, St. Lawrence Co., with the triangulation. 
Here I obtained angular measurements and determined the variation 
of the needle (North 5° 59'.2 West from the true meridian). Trigono¬ 
metrical measurements were also made, the weather being at this time 
remarkably favorable, the atmosphere pure and clear after recent 
showers. 

The work of the party on Bog mountain was inspected and in¬ 
structions issued relating to the location of boundaries of State lands 
in the township of Granshue. The same evening I reached Colton, 
on the wav securing an hour’s work at one of the monuments of the 
survey and the azimuth of line by solar transit. 

Early on the morning of the 24th, as it was bright and clear, the 
true meridian was determined in the village of Colton, and from 
magnetic observations the declination of the needle was found to be 
9° 29'.7 West of true north. The same morning I reached Pots¬ 
dam and found at the express office instruments and apparatus for 
Mr. Crandall’s survey party for which I had telegraphed to assistant 
Blake at Albany. The boxes and packages were immediately for¬ 
warded to Mr. Crandall, and the same night I returned to Albany 
again, wearied with work, to find no rest. The amount of correspond¬ 
ence that had accumulated during this brief absence was very large 
and recpfired detailed instructions in answer. The work of the sev¬ 
eral survey parties in Clinton county, in Fulton county, in Hamilton 
county, in Herkimer county, in St. Lawrence and in Essex counties 
each called for special instructions of greater or of less length — each 
desired my personal presence — nay, considered it absolutely essen¬ 
tial to a clearing up of the difficulties relating to the old boundaries 
which they were retracing. 

As these dispatches were constantly arriving from the different 
sections, my personal presence at all of these points was not practi¬ 
cable, and the necessary instructions, made as explicit as possible, were 
forwarded in writing. 

These office duties occupied my attention between August 25th and 
August 30tli. 


14 


.Report of Verplanck Colvin 


Oh September 1st, I left Albany to inspect the work of several of 
the parties, and to connect the same by triangulation with my pre- . 
ceding surveys in the interior. I took with me one assistant, and a 
theodolite, and solar transit and smaller instruments. A photo¬ 
graphic camera was also carried, for the purpose of securing views to 
illustrate the character of the region surveyed. 

At 3 a. m., September 2d, I reached Moose river clearing, three 
miles west of the camp of the survey party under Mr. Snell, engaged 
in retracing and locating the Herkimer county line. 

I remained with this party until the completion of the line to the 
monument on the bounds of the county of Lewis, on September 4th, 
securing azimuth observations, and testing sections of the line by 
transit. 

On September 5th, I closed up the work of the party and paid off 
the men, reaching Boonville the next evening. 

The results of the work of this party will be found in the detailed 
report on the location of the boundary line of the county of Herkimer. 

On September 7th, I proceeded by team to Goinmer Ilill, Lewis 
county, and gave instructions to the signalmen, in regard to the re¬ 
construction of the signal at this station upon which the determination 
of the geographical position of the boundary line of the counties of 
Herkimer and Lewis would depend. 

On September 8th I proceeded to the Adirondack Survey signal 
station of St. Lawrence at the Indian village of St. Regis, to measure 
angles therefrom to hills at the southward near HeBar mountain, in 
the county of Franklin, where many sections of State land were loca¬ 
ted, which were to be connected by triangulation with the stations in 
the interior southward. September 9th was Sunday. 

On Monday morning the twenty-inch Oerthling theodolite was set 
up, shielded (as was necessary) against temperature, by a light frame 
observatory, and the clearing away of “ haze ” or u smoke ” in the 
atmosphere which prevented observation was awaited. 

The smokiness of the atmosphere continued several days, so that 
nothing but the dim outline of the hills could be seen. During this 
time a meridian line was determined and the true azimuth of refer¬ 
ring marks in the vicinity of St. Regis determined in readiness for 
use when the clear weather should come. 

During this time also magnetic observations were taken, which, 
when compared with the true meridian, gave the mean declination of 
the needle at N. 10° 3F.2 West, in Latitude 44° 59'45" Longitude 
74°39' 23" west of Greenwich. 


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on State Land Survey. 


15 


The smokiness of the atmosphere was daily more dense and 
hut few sightings could be obtained to the signals. It became prob¬ 
able that no clear weather would be had until after heavy rains, had 
purified and washed the atmosphere. 

Although anxious to take the observations personally at this 
station the large number of parties in the field, and the difficulty of 
corresponding with them and caring for them while at inacces¬ 
sible locations in the forest which 1 had yet to visit, made me loth 
to use any more time at this station. I, therefore, placed assistant 
S. J. Farnsworth in charge of the station and instruments, with 
instructions to watch for clear weather and observe and repeat angu¬ 
lar measurements upon signals in accordance with such directions 
as he should receive from me from time to time. His life-long labors 
in engineering and surveying in the county of St. Lawrence gave him 
great familiarity with the local features of the northern section. He 
was, therefore, specially available for this work. 

Mr. Farnsworth arrived on the evening of September 13th, and 
on the lltli was placed in charge of the station. The smoki¬ 
ness or haze continued, and it was finally decided that, to avoid 
unnecessary expense, the work at this station should be discontinued 
until storms had cleared the atmosphere, Mr. Farnsworth remaining 
within a few miles of the station, ready to occupy it when the clear 
weather came. 

This signal, however, is so near the banks of the river St. Law- 
rence that the best portion of the day for observation, i. e. the hour 
following sunrise, is not available on account of frequent dense fogs 
which hang over the low-lands until the heat of the sun is sufficient 
to dissipate them. When the air becomes heated to this extent, 
irregular horizontal refraction sets in and accurate measurements are 

O 

not possible until within an hour or so of sunset. It was evident 
that patience and perseverance would alone obtain the sightings that 
were needed from this station. 

One feature of our experiences, as giving some idea of the remnants 
of the Indian race still inhabiting this locality, it seems to me should 
be given to history. It is to be regretted that the character of this 
work and the haste with which this report has to be prepared alike 
prevent any general account of the present condition of this group 
of the ancient inhabitants. 

When this station was first reached, in December, 1882, and the meas¬ 
urements were made by which the triangulation of the Adirondack 
Survey at length told the distance across the wilderness, from the 


1G 


."Report of Yerplanck Colvin 


waters of the Hudson to the shores of the great river St. Lawrence, 
the Indians of the reservation were mostly absent—some in the 
u lumber woods,” and some in their winter habitations further south. 
Now a great number of them were at their homes upon the reserva¬ 
tion, and we were able to form some opinion of them. 

This reservation, they claimed, had never been held by others than 
Indians. They were the Iroquois — the famous six nations whose 
name had once spread terror from the capes of Florida to the frontiers 
of Canada, the dominion of their inveterate foes, the Algonquins. It 
is impossible to restrain interest in thN remnant of a tribe once so 
powerful, and who claim still to be an independent nation in treaty, 
since the revolution, with the Commonwealth of New York. 

This little republic is governed by three chiefs who have “ power 
over land, water, and forest,” the nation being otherwise a commune 
in which he who clears and improves a farm owns it, and he who 
leaves and neglects it is liable to forfeit it to the first Indian who 
may choose to take possession. The tribe numbered at the last State 
census seven hundred and thirty-seven souls, resident upon an area 
of twenty-four thousand acres at the mouth of the Paquette and St. 
Hegis rivers. They dress like the whites of their own degree of 
fortune. They possess valuable farms, and horses and carriages, 
and, if a knowledge of languages be education, many of them may 
be said to be far advanced, knowing, in addition to the Indian tongue, 
both French and English. These remarks apply to those resident 
on the American side of the boundary line. 

The imaginary line which here at the forty-fifth parallel separates 
English from American territory, seems, on the Canadian side, to carry 
with it burdens that have kept the Indians of that Province behind 
their American brothers. Intoxicating drink is still the bane of their 
existence, but it is proper to say that the Indian chiefs, and the Ameri¬ 
can and Canadian officials are vigilant to prevent the introduction of 
liquor. 

Before leaving St. Eegis, I supervised reference measurements 
with steel tape connecting the signal station with the iron monu¬ 
ments on the United States boundary. The lino from the signal 
station produced northward strikes the shores of the river St. Law¬ 
rence to the westward of the old stone church of the Canadian In¬ 
dians on a true bearing of North 19° 05' East, to boundary monu¬ 
ment No. 172 (distant 708 y 4 ^ feet), terminating at the steep clay 
bluff of the river bank, which at the water level is underlaid with 
large rough clay-stained boulders of the so-called glacial drift. 


on State Land Survey. 


17 


The old stone church (on the right in the view showing the ter¬ 
mination of this line) is of great historical interest. In it was hung 
the historical bell of St. Regis,—now voiceless — once the sonorous 
souvenir of many wars. At the left'in the view is seen a dug-out 
canoe made from a single log, and supplied with the ancient Iroquois 
sail a bush. Many of these pirogues are in use by the Indians now 
upon the St. Lawrence, who cross the great river in them and fish 
from them. They are uniformly managed by paddles, after the 
ancient style. 

On September 15th, I set out for Mt. Azure, near the foot of the 
sixteen mile level on the St. Regis river, thirty miles to the south¬ 
ward of the Indian Reservation, taking with me one portable the¬ 
odolite and the solar transit, mountain barometer, etc. The large 
geodesic instruments I left in charge of Mr. Farnsworth, for the exe¬ 
cution of his work at this station. 

It was near midnight on the 15th, when exhausted with fatigue, 
after a ride of thirty-eight miles over heavy roads, we reached Phelp’s 
at the foot of Mt. Azure. 

Next day being clear, I ascended the mountain and reconnoitered 
the region from the signal station, with a view to extending the tri¬ 
angulation to the large tracts of State lands in the adjacent town¬ 
ships, to the eastward. Thousands of acres of valuable timber, pine, 
as well as spruce and hemlock, are located in the section between Mt. 
Azure and DeBar Mountain,and from these signal stations it was hoped 
that bisections could be had with transit upon points on the boundaries 
of these tracts. The signal station on Mt. Azure commands the entire 
upper valley of the St. Regis river, eastward as far as township 17 in 
great tract No. 1 of Macomb’s purchase, and innumerable mountain 
tops ad jacent to the boundaries of Townships 15,18 and-20, which 
could be made use of as trigonometrical stations. The theodolite was 
placed upon its tripod and the angular observations commenced. More 
than thirty of the signal stations of the Adirondack Surve} 7 were visi¬ 
ble ; prominent among them Mt. Marcy, Mt. Whiteface, Mt. Algon¬ 
quin, Mt. Iroquois, Mt. Emmons, Lyon mountain, DeBar mountain, 
St. Regis mountain, Bog mountain and Moosehead mountain, as well 
as the station St. Lawrence, at the mouth of the St. Regis river, which 
we had so recently occupied. 

The solar transit was used upon the completion of the angu¬ 
lar measurements with the theodolite, to obtain the azimuths of 
stations from observations of the sun. As all the township and 
lot lines in this district were originally located on magnetic needle 
[Assem. Doc. No. 126.] 3 


18 


Report of Yerplanck Colvin 


courses, the immediate determination of the true meridian was of 
great importance. The declination of the needle was found to be 
9°, 40 .0 west of true north. 

The barometric observations, taken on the summit, make the 
height of Mt. Azure 2,582 feet above the sea. It forms one of the 
most elevated and prominent of the peaks in this part of the western 
border of the wilderness. Yet its altitude is small when compared 
with the high summits nearer Lake Champlain in Essex county, and) 
being but one of a group of ]3eaks, of nearly equal altitude (all 
densely forest covered), it owes its commanding value as a station 
for triangulation, more to its fortunate location than to its height. 

The signal on Mt. Azure is a type of the class, built ujion the 
mountain peaks from rough timber, and is strongly and substan¬ 
tially made, the framework being spiked together, the lattice work 
filling at the top sufficing to distinguish it, even in moderate haze, 
at distances of twenty to thirty miles. The point observed upon in 
measuring is the centre-pole ; a straight vertical piece arising through 
the apex and carefully centred over the monument, thirty-five feet 
below, by transits set at right angles. In clear weather, fit for obser¬ 
vations, such a pole is easily seen under high telescopic power at 
very long distances. 

The photograph shows the solar transit elevated upon the high 
tripod within the signal. This high tripod was constructed by the 
signalmen from heavy spruce timbers, and was strongly braced. The 
dimensions of the signal on Mt. Azure may be understood from the 
height of the transit and of the two guides shown in the view 
(plate 7). The measurements were not completed at nightfall, 
although we remained late and descended the mountain in the dark. 
The negative, from which the plate was made, was taken after sun¬ 
set and was of the class ordinarily given from one to four seconds 
exposure. In this case a full minute was given. The height measure¬ 
ments with barometer, made Phelps’ Hotel 983 feet below the sum¬ 
mit of Mt. Azure, or 1,599 feet above the sea, and barometrically 1,270 
feet above North Lawrence on the Ogdensburgh and Lake Champlain 
railroad. 

The degree of elevation of this district, and the moisture of the 

climate, are — if we may judge from the character of the forest_ 

extremely favorable to the growth of the valuable evergreen trees. 
With the exception of the vast marshes, which from Mt. Azure are 
seen to extend over an area of thousands of acres, adjacent to the 
“ sixteen mile level,” on the upper St. Regis, the whoie region be- 


on State Land Survey. 


19 


tween Duane in Franklin county, and the hills toward Cranberry 
lake, in St. Lawrence county, is covered with one vast forest of 
valuable timber. 

September 17th, I reascended Mt. Azure and obtained addi¬ 
tional angular measurements. The great obstacle to measurement 
was found to be the almost unbroken extent of wooded wilderness. 
Hardly a peak, in this section, could be discovered which was not 
densely forest covered ; Mt. Azure, DeBar Mt., and St. Regis Mt., 
were the only exceptions in the vicinity. The signal stations which 
I had placed upon these points, now became doubly valuable, and 
were the only points with which the land surveys could be connected 
without greatly increased expense, and the cutting of many sight 
lines through the timber. This I resolved to avoid, as far as practi¬ 
cable, and, consequently, made the stations on DeBar and Azure the 
reference and connecting points for all the surveys in this section. 

This work accomplished, I set out on foot on the morning of the 
18tli for the head waters of the St. Regis, for the purpose of per¬ 
sonally inspecting the lands and timber, and to ascertain whether the 
lumbermen, who were now working far to the southward, were ex¬ 
tending their cuttings to the State lands in Townships 14, 18 and 20. 
The baggage and heavy instruments were sent by way of Duane 
to await me at Chase’s on Loon lake near the north branch of the 
Saranac. 

A march of three miles through the forest brought us to the foot 
of the sixteen mile level; a picturesque Stillwater which winds for 
miles through rich alluvial lands, now among alders and bushy 
swamps, and now through vast natural meadows; where the thrifty 
lumbermen had already cut and stacked the wild hay as feed for 
their teams during the coming winter. It was evident that in a few 
months the deer and bear; hitherto the sole inhabitants of the forest; 
would find their most remote fastnesses invaded. 

A frightful feature of this lumber enterprise, is the proposed 
drowning of all these low-lands. A dam has been erected at the 
foot of the level, which will flow the entire basin, and will convert 
all the verdure and beauty of this valley to a sickening mass of gray 
mud and malarial slime. It is to be regretted that the State is not 
the owner of this beautiful valley. Its drowning and despoilment 
is the result of a mistaken policy of the State Government in grant¬ 
ing subsidies to private corporations for the construction of dams 
and reservoirs, disguised under the title of an act for the u improve¬ 
ment ” of a river, while really causing its despoilment. The water had 


20 


Beport of Yerplanck Colvin 


been already raised and had been maintained at considerable height, 
between May and July last; and, although now lowered to its natural 
limits, the prolonged drowning had already given a sickly and yellow 
look to the foliage of both trees and bushes, painful to behold. 
Another season of drowning will complete the devastation. 

Ascending the river, by boat, a journey of half a day, we landed 
where the water became swift and the banks of the stream precipi¬ 
tous, and climbing a gravelly, sandy ridge, marched eastward ; over 
wild, desolate, burnt lands; oncp covered with valuable pine timber. 
Aspens and birch brush were replacing the ancient evergreens; but 
we soon entered a dense dark forest of most majestic white pine, 
which extended eastward nearly to Folensbee pond. 

One of the results of this day’s reconnaissance, was the discovery 
of an elevated place, free from timber, on the west line of Town¬ 
ship 18 which would enable me to locate that line directly by 
triangulation. The site for the signal station was selected ; but as the 
theodolite had been sent to Duane, immediate measurements could 
not be made. 

At evening we reached St. Begis lake, and on the following day 
examined the lands between "the St. Begis and the north branch of 
the Saranac, in Township 18 of Great Tract Bo. 1 of Macomb’s 
purchase, and Township 10 in the Old Military Tract. 

In township Bo. 18, north of Bainbow lake, the lumbering interest 
was found to be extremely active, although half the township belonged 
to the State. The northerly half of this and the south part of the ad¬ 
jacent township, contain much valuable pine and spruce timber. Of 
17,000 acres in the north half of this township 4,000 acres are held by 
lumbermen in semi-partnership with the State. These men said, 
very emphatically, that they intended to cut upon such partnership 
lands and remove the timber, and desired me to notify the Attorney- 
General and the Comptroller of their proposed action. They claimed 
that an undivided interest in these timbered lands having fallen to the 
State by the non-payment of taxes by part owners, the failure of the 
State to divide the property or to sufficiently care for these lands was 
ruinous to them, and that they were compelled to cut timber and re¬ 
alize thereon in order to meet their individual assessments. 

This was but one of numerous cases in which the State has, by the 
extraordinary nature of the tax laws, brought itself into copartner¬ 
ship with various lumbering companies. The lands in such cases 
are among the most valuable in the forest, and it is very apparent 
that some modification of the tax laws is necessary to avoid such 


on State Land Survey. 


21 


cases in the future ; and that some legislation should be had at once 
to meet these extraordinary conditions. 

Township 18 is a valuable tract, as it contains manv excellent sites 
for summer residences, and is accessible by good and easy roads, both 
from the Ogdensburgli and Lake Champlain Rail Road, and 
from the Au Sable branch of the New York and Canada road. 
The St. Regis lakes, “ Paul Smith’s” Rainbow lake, Mountain 
pond, Osgood pond, etc., etc., are all located in this township; and 
the beauty and value of these localities are sufficiently known, to ren¬ 
der further comment, on the great value of State lands in the vicinity 
unnecessary. The examination of these lands was accompanied by 
a rapid survey reconnaissance; the topography of the lakes and moun¬ 
tains being sketched, and approximate heights taken by barometer. 

The value of all land depends so much upon climate, and climate 
is so greatly affected by altitude that, I cannot but believe, the 
measurement of heights to be a matter of the greatest practical im¬ 
portance ; inasmuch as we may, by a comparison of altitudes and the 
geographical latitude of lands in any country whose general character 
is known, be able to tell very closely what such lands will produce 
and what they are worth. 

St. Regis lake by my measurements, has a height of 1,623 feet above 
the sea, and Osgood pond 1,659 feet. Jones pond outlets into and has 
about the same elevation as Osgood ; but as we go eastward a slight in¬ 
crease of altitude is met with; the divides reaching about 1,700 feet at 
Rainbow lake and nearly 1,800 feet at Loon lake. The height of 
the St. Regis lakes, being based upon exact measurements with level 
and rod, from tide in the Hudson, is as exact as can be obtained. 
The means at command on the Adirondack Survey, have not been 
sufficient to extend the line of levels as far eastward as Loon lake. 
It is very desirable that the height above tide, of all of the principal 
lakes, in these chains, should be determined, as they occupy the 
depressions or “ water-gaps” of the mountains, and form the keys 
to the country. 

At Loon lake on Sept. 19th I received telegraphic despatches, 
which rendered it necessary that I should proceed to Clinton county 
at once, to arrange for the continuance of the survey of the State 
lands in that section, and at 8 r. m. on the evening of the 20th, after 
an exhausting journey under a hot sun, I reached Chateaugay Lake. 
The survey of Township No. 5, and the location of the prison lands, 
are hereafter given at sufficient length to explain the work done in 
this section. 


I 


22 ' Report of Verplanck Colvin 

September 21st found me at the camp of assistant Averill’s 
survey party on Indian Point, on the west shore of this lake. 
A consultation was * held in which Mr. Averill laid before me 
the difficulties he had encountered, and a plan was arranged 
for the completion of the work. During the afternoon of this day 
I examined the old marked trees on the boundaries of Township 
No. 5, and visited the south west corner of the township where the 
ancient line trees and corner marks on the wood made by the first 
compass surveyors were found apd identified. 

This corner is hard to reach being located in a marsh, which owing 
to high water, would be impassable for measurements until frozen 
solid. 

The manner in which these measurements were finally made, and 
the corner monumented, will be found in the detailed statement of 
work in Clinton County. 

Almost all the lands seen to the eastward from the west shore of 
Chazy lake are the property of the State. The signal stations of 
Lyon Mountain and Birch Hill, which command the greater portion 
of this district, are shown at the left in the accompanying sketch of 
Cliateaugay Lake, to the southeastward. To the south west, in the 
same sketch, are the mountain ranges that form the divide between 
the sources of the Cliateaugay river and the north branch of the 
Saranac. The distant fisli-hawk at the right hand in the view hovers 
in line with the direction of the south west corner of Township No. 5, 
and nearly below the bird is Indian Point, the location at this time of 
the camp of the survey party. 

Cliateaugay Lake is still enclosed by the wild forest, but few 
clearings having as yet been made upon its banks. It is a beautiful 
crystalline sheet of water shut in by rocky shores, and, although now 
very accessible, is still a choice resort for huntsmen and fishermen, 
who find both trout and deer in sufficient abundance 

At evening on the 21st I returned with assistant A verill by boat 
across the lake to Ralph’s, on the east shore, and settled upon a plan 
for the extension of his work to the other corners of the township. 

The records carried with me showed that there were State lands 
in Franklin County, near Ragged lake, which were accessible by trail 
from the camp of the survey party on Indian point. Despatches 
received from other survey parties rendered it important that I 
should be in Albany that very night, but, being desirous of learning 
the condition of the forest on the lands in that portion of Franklin 
county from personal inspection, (inasmuch as it had been claimed 


I 




on State Land Survey. 23 

that the forest thereon had been destroyed by fire and that the lands 
were worthless;) I resolved to make a rapid march through the woods, 
inspect them, and return with all possible rapidity, so that with the 
aid of boat and team I might reach the afternoon train for Albany 
from Plattsburgh. 

Morning, of September 22d found the lake covered with a dense 
fog, which somewhat delayed our guide in steering his way across 
the water. At 7:54 a. m., we left Chateaugay lake, the trail ascend¬ 
ing gradually through open timber, crossing the transit line of as¬ 
sistant Averill’s survey party about three-fourths of a mile from 
the lake. Entering only one small clearing, the trail ascended con¬ 
tinuously, though almost imperceptibly, for over four miles, when 
Mountain pond was reached. This is a small sheet of water outlet- 
ing to Chateaugay, being 540 feet above Chateaugay lake by aneroid. 
After a march of two hours from Indian point we reached the end 
of the long ascent from Chateaugay lake, and beheld before us an 
abrupt slope down which the trail went steeply. Through the dense 
forest the shining surface of a large body of water was perceptible. 
A descent of 400 feet brought us at length to the sandy shores and 
shallow waters of Ragged lake. Here a clumsy, weather-beaten skiff 
was found, which was with difficulty launched, but proved leaky 
and worthless. 

The solar transit was set up and observations of the sun taken to 
determine the meridian and from the magnetic observation the varia¬ 
tion of the needle in this locality, was found to be North 14° 59'.2 
West. The observations were interrupted by the discovery of an 
embryo forest fire in the woods near by, the result of some hunter’s % 
carelessness. Water carried from the lake in hats and tin cups ex¬ 
tinguished it before it had got into the timber. 

The shores of Ragged Lake are densely covered by woods, to a large 
extent consisting of valuable timber. The photograph shows the char¬ 
acter of the forest, which is still dense and wild and inhabited by large 
game, both deer and bear. The State lands near Ragged lake are fine 
wood lots; and I could not see or learn that they had ever been touched 
by a lumberman’s axe or by fire. The observations having been made 
we set out upon our return and reached Chateaugay lake in two 
hours, where leaving the survey party at their camp, I crossed the 
lake in time to take the steamer to Bellmont and the train for Albany ; 
where I arrived at 2 a. m. next morning. 

Between September 25th and October 18th, office work kept me 
busily engaged at the Capitol. The field-work of several of the sur- 


24 


Report of Verplanok Col yin 


vey parties was now closing, and the accounts and vouchers cover¬ 
ing many thousand dollars in small items, had to be examined, set¬ 
tled and audited. The men were paid off as rapidly as the chiefs 
of the several parties completed their accounts. 

The middle of October found six survey parties still in the field: 
one in Clinton county, two in Essex county, two in Hamilton county 
and one in Franklin county. 

In Clinton county assistant Averill was continuing the measure¬ 
ments along the bounds of township 5, and the adjacent tracts. In 
Essex county, assistant Blake w4s connecting and tying together by 
triangulation, the surveys of the blocks of State lands in the central 
and northern portion of that county, and Mr. G. L. Locke with 
another party was tracing the boundaries of lots in the Old Military 
tract, immediately adjacent to the north line of Totten and Cross¬ 
field’s purchase. In the southern portion of Hamilton county, 
assistant Francisco was tracing out and settling the bounds of State 
lands in Palmer’s purchase, near which 1 limbering operations were 
in active operation. In the central portions of Hamilton county 
assistant Ivoetteritz had charge of a special section of triangulation, 
designed to connect the work in the south-western division with the 
Adirondack Survey triangle sides so as to unite the detached sur¬ 
veys. In Franklin county and St. Lawrence, other surveys were 
also in progress. 

The direction of these survey parties and the paying off of the 
men and settlement of the accounts kept me constantly engaged, 
and with the limited means at command required the strictest atten¬ 
tion to secure the needed results within the limits of the appropria¬ 
tion. Frequently large amounts were required to meet the running 
expenses of the parties, and, as these occasions admitted of no delay, 
the work could only be maintained by recourse to my private funds. 
The number of parties in the field and the vast area covered — 
through ten of the largest counties of the State — with the innumer¬ 
able difficulties incident to operating in a wilderness region, off from 
trails, made the aggregate cost of the work cover the entire appro¬ 
priation, leaving no portion for the salary of the Superintendent, 
who—inasmuch as the appropriations for the Adirondack Survey had 
been still more limited — had the honor to conduct both these Sur¬ 
veys during the present season without any compensation what¬ 
ever. 

The superintendent had hoped that with the close of October all 
the field work would be completed, but the middle of that month 


on State Land Survey. 


25 


had passed and a vast amount of both office and field work remained 
to be done. 

It now became necessary, even at the hazard of some temporary 
inconvenience and discomfort to the detached survey parties, that 
the superintendent should again take the field to close up the trian¬ 
gulation in the North Eastern Division. Here in consequence of 
the severity of the weather assistant Averill was unwilling to risk 
his health at this season of the year by any prolonged exposure in 
tents upon the frosty mountain summits. No other officer of the 
survey was available for this work, all being busily engaged. Con¬ 
sequently, having arranged the office work as far as practicable, I 
proceeded to Plattsburgh, Clinton county, on the morning of Octo¬ 
ber 19tli — leaving one clerk in charge of the office ; every other at¬ 
tache of the survey being in the field. 

October 20th was passed in Plattsburgh closing up the first section 
of work in Clinton county and paying off the men. After much 
discussion I called upon assistant Averill for estimates of the cost of 
completing the monumenting and mapping of the survey of Town¬ 
ship No. 5, with a view to making it a matter of contract. On 
Monday morning, October 22d, Mr. Averill submitted estimates in 
writing, which, after examination and some alterations, were made 
the specifications for the completion of the work in his division. 

At 6.40 a. m. on the 22d inst., I proceeded by way of the Platts¬ 
burgh and Dannemora railroad to Pogersfield, Clinton county; on 
my way to my old signal station on the summit of Lyon Mountain, 
which, as we neared Chazy Lake could be seen from the train grizly 
with ice and snow upon the branches of the dwarf spruce trees on 
the summit. At Pogersfield, the famous Chateaugay Iron Mines are 
located, a broad band of solid, magnetic iron stretching for miles 
across the rugged gneissoid foot hills of Lyon Mountain. These 
beds or veins are of unknown depth and the purity of the ore makes 
them more valuable than mines of gold or silver. It was amazing 
to see the town which had grown up around the mines since 1878. 
As far as the eye could reach the valley was filled with log houses, 
railways above and below—hoisting machinery—engine houses and 
all the features of a large mining to\yn were to be seen. 

October 23d I succeeded in organizing a force of packmen and 
secured one pack horse to aid in transporting the instruments and 
baggage to the mountain top. Axemen had to be employed to clear 
logs from the trails now disused, but by nightfall I had pitched my 
tent upon the summit of the mountain, and made my arrangements 
[Assem. Doc. No. 126.] 4 


26 


Report of Yerplanck Col yin 


so that letters and telegrams reached me from Rogersfield with 
promptness and the general management of the survey be continued 

Under the head of Triangulation I have elsewhere given a detailed 
statement of the results of the work at this station. Snow and storm, 
sleet and fierce winter gales beat upon my tent and it was the 6th 
of November before the absolutely necessary angles connecting the 
detached Survey of the adjacent boundaries had been secured. 

Deserted by my men, who refused longer to endure the cold and 
exposure, I had remained in camp alone upon the summit, and only 
descended to Rogersfield on the feth when the the requisite measure¬ 
ments had been secured. 

November 7th I proceeded to Plattsburgh, leaving Mr. Averill to 
complete the measurements across the head of Chateaugay Lake as 
soon as the ice became firm and on the 8th inst. reached Albany 
again, and resumed duty at the Capitol. 

There was much requiring my attention. Two of the parties had 
not received my despatches notifying them of the location of my field 
head-quarters. Money, provisions, instruments and men were needed 
at various stations. By hard work, and many telegrams and letters, the 
anxiety of the assistants in charge of these parties was relieved and 
business brought back to its normal condition. 

By November 21st all the Survey parties but one had closed their 
work for the season. 

Assistant Farnsworth hindered by the fogs arising from the river 
St. Lawrence was unable to obtain all the angles desired at his 
station, but through the most severe experiences remained resolutely 
at the signal in a tent banked with snow and sheeted with ice until 
longer waiting was evidently fruitless and closed the field-work on 
the 19th of November. 


This brief narrative is merely designed as an introduction to the 
detailed statement of the results of the field-work. It is not neces¬ 
sary to mention all the details of instructions given both orally and in 
writing to the assistant surveyors. The accompanying records will 
show what they were sent out to do, and the manner in which the 
work was performed. 


General Observations. 

Before entering upon the systematic discussion of the measure¬ 
ments, and the results of the work, a general statement of the char- 


on State Land Survey. 27 

acter, location and value of the Public Lands, within the limits of 
this survey, will be proper. 

In the first place, as the result of the inspection and Survey of the 
State Lands, as hereafter given in detail, it may be stated that they 
are equal, or superior in value, to the lands held by private parties, 
adjacent to the tracts held by the State. 

The value of 500,000 acres of these public lands may be placed at 
an average of $2 per acre or not less than $1,000,000. 

Applications have been made by lumbermen for the purchase 
from the State of large tracts at a price as high as $4 per acre. 
Large areas of these lands could now be sold at such a price. 

The death of the spruce trees over a large extent of country has at¬ 
tracted attention to the rugged slopes of the mountains, dark with the 
dense growth of thrifty healthy evergreens. These trees reach, in this 
latitude, their best development between 1,500 and 2,000 feet above 
the sea. The sides of distant blue ranges of mountains, hithereto con¬ 
sidered practically inaccessible, are now found to be the only source of 
supply, and by “ slide-ways,” or “ dry-sluices,” timber can be sent 
down to the valleys, from these mountain slopes, from a height of 
nearly half a mile, vertically above the sea. The construction of nar¬ 
row gauge railroads into the forest has been commenced and, tim¬ 
bered lands along the routes of such roads are held at an increased 
valuation. Thus lands heretofore deemed inaccessible, are suddenly 
made of great commercial importance; and the property that cannot 
be disposed of to-day, may be eagerly sought to-morrow. 

Aside from the ordinary commercial aspect these lands have, in 
many places, an intrinsic value from the beauty of their location, 
and the picturesqueness of their lake and mountain scenery for which 
the Adirondack region has become famous. It may be asserted, 
without danger of contradiction, that every accessible lake, and every 
bay, point thereon, or headland or reach of picturesque river, 
where fish and game abound, has its cash value as a site for some 
woodland villa, cottage or “ camp.” There are thousands of such 
sites, surpassingly beautiful, now in the possession of the State ; they 
are eagerly sought and would be quickly purchased, could they, 
under the existing laws, be offered for sale. 

The sentiment of the people of this State, is evidently against the 
further sale of these State lands. The destruction of the forests; 
the disenchantment of the lake shores by settlements; the defile¬ 
ment of the pure waters by sewage ; the reduction of this wonder¬ 
ful region to an arid waste by fires, has been generally and wisely 
opposed, throughout the State, by all classes of citizens. 


28 Report of Verplanck Colvin 

Yet, few have any idea, of the actual value of the State’s posses¬ 
sions, or the exact location of the State lands. 

The beauty of Raquette Lake has been sung by poets; and the 
charm of its clustering islands, bright gleaming bays, and jutting 
points are now famous throughout the land yet, few know that out 
of the thousands of acres of dense forest, which reach from its shores 
to the encircling mountains, only here and there a point, (now built 
upon,) has private owners, and that all the rest is public domain. So 
also northward along the banks of Long Lake or Incapacho; passing 
from the Raquette river into Franklin county we find nearly all of the 
beautiful Saranac Lakes in the possession of the State, and that wild 
and densely forested area, covering the Fish Creek waters on the 
Upper Saranac,— choice ground for hunter, fisherman or naturalist 
— is entirely upon the public domain. 

Leaving these great tracts, further northward stretches that won¬ 
derfully picturesque country, between the St. Regis Lakes at Paul 
Smith’s, and Meacliam Lake, De Bar Mountain, Deer River and 
Duane, covered with thousands upon thousands of acres, to which 
the State has now perfected title. 

This section of State land is almost entirely forest and reaches north¬ 
ward to the very borders of the wilderness. Eastward of it, the State 
lands (thousands of acres,) extend in scattered blocks and lots to Rain¬ 
bow Lake, Round Lake, Loon Lake, Plum ad or Pond, Wolf Lake, Rag¬ 
ged Lake and into Clinton County at Chazy Lake, where, one block of 
ten thousand acres, forms the most valuable possession of the State 
in that district. 

Scattered portions of State lands are found northward, almost to 
the Canadian boundary, and eastward nearly to Lake Champlain. 

In Essex County, the State lands are situated, in the most inter¬ 
esting portions of that mountainous section. The dense forest, which 
covers the range of mountains between Lake Placid and the Saranac 
river, including Moose Lake and McKenzie Pond, Saddle Mountain 
and Sugarloaf Mt., stretches northward of Mt. St. Armand to the 
borders of Clinton County. Southward from Lake Placid this tract 
of State land reaches (with scattering lots of private land included) ten 
miles away to the source of Chub river, and Moose Pond, where the 
waters descend to Cold river and the Raquette ; covering nearly the 
whole of the high mountain range, west of the trail from North Elba 
to the Indian Pass. This is all dense forest, and is the region famed 
as the location of the rich vein of silver discovered and lost by the 
old woodsman Scott, forty years since. 


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on State Land Survey. 


20 


Eastward and southward from Lake Placid, tracts of State land 
upon the mountains in Keene were discovered heavily timbered. 
Valuable spruce and cedar timber was found upon the tracts surveyed 
and monumented this season lying between Mount Marcy and Sable 
Mountain, and near the Edmund’s Ponds or Cascade lakes. 

Eastward of Keene Yalley a large portion of the Giant Mountain 
range is enclosed within the limits of the State lands, and separate 
tracts extend as far eastward as lot 113 in Chesterfield, near Peru 
bay on Lake Champlain. 

Returning to the County of Hamilton, southward from Pa¬ 
quette Lake, the State possesses thousands of acres of heavily tim¬ 
bered land in Township No 6, adjacent to Shed Lake and Lake 
Fonda. Further southward, in townships 3, 8, and 32 enormous 
tracts of the most valuable spruce timber are owned by the State; 
in township No 3 almost enclosing the beautiful Cedar Lakes, and 
covering nearly all the valuable timber near Lewey Lake and along 
the Blue ridge. In township No 38, the forest, upon the lowlands 
along the Indian river below Lewey Lake, forms the drowned lands, 
or basin of the Indian Lake reservoir. Here all the trees have been 
destroyed by the artificial raising of the water, for the purposes of the 
reservoir ; and a broad waste of fluid, ink-like mud and dead and de¬ 
caying timber—now, at low water, ueplaces the once unbroken forest. 
This tract of State land, extends two miles northward of Indian 
Lake, to the south line of Township No 33 and includes valuable 
property. 

Examining the character of the State lands still further to the 
southward, at Tacolago Lake, Echo Lake, great Round Lake, and 
Lake Pleasant (the county seat of Hamilton county) State*lands 
were found in every direction, and generally densely covered with 
forest. Both branches of the Sacondaga river are hemmed in by 
the public lands; valuable tracts of timber existing in Townships 
No. 1 and 10, and Palmer’s purchase; while in Bergain’s purchase, 
a large tract of State forest exist. Here it is claimed that trespass has 
been committed upon one lot, to the extent, of $30,000, by men osten¬ 
sibly cutting timber on adjacent property. This matter is now in the 
hands of the Attorney General, and an action has been commenced 
against the trespassers, and wfill soon be brought to trial. 

Westward of the Sacondaga river, is the Benson Township, the 
district, now famous for its “goldmines,” a rolling, mountainous 
forest region. The State lands are of great extent, reaching, in ir¬ 
regular tracts, from Wellstown to Arietta, with occasional strips of 


30 


Repoet of Verplanck Colvin 


intervening private lands. In the Oxbow tract the State has less land 
than in the adjoining patents; but in the Lawrence Tract and in the 
wild forests of Artherborough are large areas of public lands, covered 
with superb timber which deserve immediate attention to preserve 
them from the same system of plundering, which has despoiled valuable 
lots in the neighboring County of Herkimer. 

But it is unnecessary to refer to every tract of State land. Val¬ 
uable tracts are owned by the State in hundreds of localities as inter¬ 
esting as the more famous places /Mentioned. 

The general elevation of these lands is between 1,200 and 2,300 feet 
above the sea ; the mean altitude of the valuable forest lands being 
about 1,700 feet. There is no true soil upon the mountain sides; 
nothing but gneissiodrock, covered with boulders, overlaid with (hu¬ 
mus, woody-peat or “ spruce duff,”) the decayed remnants of the for¬ 
est, that have accumulated during ages. 


To give those, who are unacquainted with the region, an idea of 
its character, I extract the following description from my report to 
the Legislature in 1879, on the progress of the Adirondack Survey : 
(Seventh Report p. 65) 

“ The vast Adirondack region contains the only great State forests 
now remaining as a public domain within New York. 

At the close of the American revolution, the Crown lands of 
Great Britain, confiscated by the provisional government, became 
the property of the State. 

The Indian frontier warfare had made this region a dark and 
bloody ground. From its shades burst those savage incursions which 
filled the valleys of the Mohawk and the upper Hudson with death 
and desolation. 

When peace returned to an exhausted land, the fair, rich plains of 
the west began to open before the settler, and the wilds which de¬ 
scended to the valley of the Mohawk and guarded the future path¬ 
way westward to the Indies, were for the time forgotten. 

The new government of New York was impoverished, and en¬ 
deavored to relieve itself by the sale of these wild, northern lands. 
Too poor at that time to make proper and perfect measurements, it 
sold vast tracts by the old Colonial Surveys, made in the rudest man¬ 
ner with magnetic compass, just prior to the revolution ; surveys_ 

which have now served for more than a century as the boundaries 


on State Land Survey. 31 

between estates and limits of counties — marked only on crumbling 
trees. 

In 1772, in the Colony of New York, the first surveys were made 
of Totten and Crossfield's purchase in the heart of this strange re¬ 
gion, whose pure waters and vast forests have been fortunately pre¬ 
served to play so great a part in the future prosperity and happiness 
of the State. 

More than a century has passed away and the wild forest still cov¬ 
ers these most ancient mountains. Carved by the glaciers or the 
icebergs of the drift period from the most ancient granite of the 
world’s formation ; washed and eroded by the storms of a thousand 
centuries, the Adirondack ranges rise in dark and gloomy billows, 
stretching from the hills which skirt the Mohawk away northward 
to the shores of the river, from which this most ancient rock takes 
the term Laurentian. 

Elsewhere are mountains more stupendous, more icy and more 
drear, but none look down upon a grander landscape in rich autumn 
time ; more brightly gemmed or jeweled with innumerable lakes, or 
crystal pools, or wild with savage chasms, or dread passes; none 
show a denser or more vast appearance of primeval forest stretching 
over range on range to the far horizon, where the sea of mountains 
fades away into a dim, vaporous uncertainty. 

A region of mystery, over which none can gaze without a strange 
thrill of interest and of wonder at what may be hidden in that vast 
area of forest, covering all things with its deep repose. It is not 
the deer of which we think, treading the deep rich moss among the 
stately tamaracks ; nor the bear, luxuriating in the berry patches on 
the mountain side; nor the panther nor the wolf in their lonely and 
desolate wilds, seeking their feast of blood: we gaze downward from 
the mountain height on thousands upon thousands of square miles 
of wilderness, which was always one — since forest it became—and 
which hides to-day, as it has hidden for so many ages, the secrets of 
form, and soil, and rock, and history. It is upon this that we 
ponder. Huge are these almost undecipherable pages of the world’s 
annals; enormous and difficult to read; yet there are marks and 
traces here and there which tell in a brief, irregular and fragmentary 
way — to those able to decipher such inscriptions — the prehistoric 
growth of continents; the origin of rivers; the spread of vegetable 
and animal life and the approach of man.” 




DETAILS OF MEASUREMENTS. 

(SECTION I.) 

JERSEYFIELD PATENT. 

(Grant to Henry Glen and others 1768-69.) 

North Boundary 

FULTON, HAMILTON AND HERKIMER COUNTIES. 


The different sections of State and private lands, in those portions 
of the Counties of Fulton, Hamilton and Herkimer, which are lo¬ 
cated on or near the North line of the Jerseyfield patent, were 
originally surveyed at a very early period, and their boundaries have 
always been involved in doubt owing to some defect or uncertainty 
in the old surveys. 

Private parties, the owners of lands adjacent to those of the 
State, at various times attempted the settlement of these disputed 
boundaries, and incurred large expenditures in their attempts to find 
which were their own, and which the State lands. 

The existence of a heavy penalty for the cutting of any timber 
upon State lands; twenty-five dollars for each tree cut or destroyed ; 
made a knowledge of the location of the real boundaries a matter 
of importance, to all careful and conscientious men. Regular lum¬ 
bermen, also, carrying on a large business, found it inconvenient and 
dangerous to deal in lands whose boundaries were so uncertain, and 
where profitable cutting of timber upon what they deemed their own 
lands, might be followed by costly litigation with the State authori¬ 
ties ; and still more costly, or even ruinous, interruption of business. 

Here, as elsewhere, the uncertainty of the boundaries interfered 




on State Land Survey. 


33 


with accurate assessments and the collection of taxes; and the uncer¬ 
tainty of ownership was the opportunity of timber thieves. 

An organized system of timber depredation was the result- of 
this condition of affairs; and notwithstanding all the efforts of the 
Comptroller and the District Attorney of Herkimer County, the 
plunderers of the public lands escaped punishment to a great extent 
for lack of proof that the timber stolen was really taken from the 
State lands. 

I had been desired by the Comptroller to give this matter my 
attention, as of the first importance. At the same time, I received 
from the Hon. A. B. Steele, District Attorney of Herkimer county, 
a detailed statement of the difficulties which he had experienced in 
endeavoring to prosecute parties cutting timber on, and removing 
the same from State lands. 

After mentioning various cases in which he met with great diffi¬ 
culty in securing the punishment of trespassers owing to uncertainty 
as to the real boundaries, the District Attorney says: 

“It was found that all lines had been obliterated by felling and 
“ removing all blazed trees and other marks.” He states that nothing 
can be done in many districts without special surveys. Even where 
lot lines could be found, trespassers obtained immunity by the in¬ 
timidation of witnesses. Detectives were employed to watch in 
some localities, and witnesses were finally brought before the Grand 
Jury. He adds: “ Some very peculiar circumstances were revealed ; 
“ such, for instance, as that the person testifying could not tell his 
“ nearest neighbor three rods away while he was cutting on State 
“ lands; could not tell his team; could not tell where a certain lot 
“ was, although he knew every other lot in the town, and many other 
“ things equally as absurd. This much was revealed. When a man 
“ desires to get timber from State lands he will send some one ahead 
“ to cut every blazed tree on the lines, then cut them up and remove 
“ them to some distance, and so remove all evidence of lines. After 
“ this is done they will send men to cut logs on some piece near 
“ State lands, telling them to cut only to the blazed trees — but 
“ there are none, as they have all been removed. In this manner 
“ the entire State lands will be cut over. If a person informs upon 
“ a trespasser neither his property nor his life is safe, so that persons 
c< are very loth to tell what they know, and even upon secret inves- 
“ tigations before a Grand Jury every conceivable evasion is re- 
“ sorted to.” 

Such a statement from the public prosecutor of the County, showed 
[Assem. Doc. No. 126.] 5 


3 4 


Kepoet of Veeplanck Colvin 


how great was the need of the settlement of the disputed bounda¬ 
ries, which formed the root of the difficulty. 

Private owners were suffering equally with the State from the 
depredations of these lawless men, and were without redress; nor 
was any power lodged in their hands or in the hands of any county 
or State officer to settle, officially, the difficulty, save through sub¬ 
stantial surveys; not exjparte in their nature, but impartially made 
by the superintendent of this survey in the line of his duty in com¬ 
pliance with the law. / 

The views of the Comptroller and of the District Attorney as to 
the urgency of the settlement of the disputed boundaries of the 
ancient land patents, in this section, were reinforced by the state¬ 
ments of the principal land owners and local surveyors. 

In a conference held at the office of the superintendent in the 
Capitol, maps and plans were submitted showing the surveys which 
had been made at private expense, in the hope of settling the diffi¬ 
culties ; and an amazing condition of affairs was revealed. 

The local surveyors, in endeavoring to trace out the ancient lines, 
had found, not an absence of boundary lines, but an overabundance 
of them. Double systems of allotment within the patents were 
claimed to have been found. 

The principal difficulty at first appeared to depend upon what was 
the true allotment of the east part of the Lawrence patent. This 
patent contains, exclusive of the Caldwell and Sickels tracts, 35,560 
acres. It was surveyed for one Jonathan Lawrence in 1791 or 1792 
and was based upon, or built up upon, the north line of the Jersey- 
field patent. 

This original survey of the boundaries of the Lawrence patent, 
appears to have been made by Isaac Yrooman, the same surveyor 
who laid out the Jerseyfield patent. 

The Jerseyfield patent, originally granted to Henry Glen and 
others, was in its turn based upon the north boundary of the famous 
Boyal Grant to Sir William Johnson, of which Governor Try on, in 
a report made to the Earl of Dartmouth, “ in obedience to the com¬ 
mands of the King” June 1774, says: “Two instances only occur 
“ of Grants or Letters Patent for Lands under the Great Seal of 
“ Great Britain — one to Sir Joseph Eyles * * and the other to 

“ Sir William Johnston Baronet.” 

It is of historical interest that this Koyal Grant was the gift, not 
of one but of two Kings ; for the aboriginal title was from the great 


on State Land Survey. 


35 


chief of the Six Nations, King Hendrick, and possibly the last grant 
of land made to the whites by that celebrated chieftain.* 

The bearing of the north bounds of the Royal Grant was made 
the governing course, not only for the northerly line of the Jersey- 
field patent, but for the intervening ranges of lots in Jerseyfield, and 
has been generally supposed to govern the lot lines in the Lawrence 
tract also. 

The county line between Hamilton and Fulton counties depends 
for many miles upon this base for its direction; and the positions of 
all the several tracts, as far northward as the Moose River tract, 
in the county of Hamilton, are more or less dependent upon this 
ancient grant. 

Before entering upon the discussion of the data, on which the 
survey work in this section was based, a brief account of the country 
is needed to render the work done intelligible. 

The northwestern portion of the County of Fulton, twenty miles 
back from the Mohawk river, becomes quite elevated. The depres¬ 
sions are not great nor are the mountains very much higher than the 
valleys; but the whole section reaches the altitude of the average Adir¬ 
ondack interior. Yalleys, are here found two thousand feet above 
the sea, while the mountain tops — or hills — are but two or three 
hundred feet higher. A dense forest; largely consisting of valuable 
evergreen timber; covers the mountains down to the very margin of 
beautiful lakes and trout streams, and wild game, deer and bear, are 
found even near the margins of the forest. To the eastward, in 
Hamilton County, in the neighboring township of Benson, is situ¬ 
ated the gold mining district heretofore referred to. 

It is its wealth of valuable timber, however, which makes the 
northern portion of the Jerseyfield patent so important, and has 
attracted toward it, and the adjacent Lawrence tract, so much atten¬ 
tion. New rail-roads have been projected into this section, and 
proposals were being urgently pressed by capitalists, for the sale by 
the State of its timbered land in this section, when the passage of 
the law of 1883, forbidding the further sale of State lands by the 
Commissioners of the land office, stopped speculation; and the im¬ 
portance of husbanding the forests that protect the sources of the 
rivers from the influence of evaporation, engaged public consideration. 


* King Hendrick greatly admired a gold laced coat belonging to the Baronet, and 
told Sir William that he dreamed that he gave it to him. The Baronet presented 
the Chief with the coat, but, in his turn, “ dreamed” that this vast territory was 
granted him. The Chief gave him the land, and they dreamed no more. 



36 


Repoet of Yeeplanck Colvin 


Through the heart of this section, ran the boundary line between 
the counties of Fulton and Hamilton; which, further westward, 
became the boundary between Herkimer and Hamilton counties; 
and this line was the north line of the Jerseyfield patent, and, 
throughout its extent, was involved in the gravest doubt and un¬ 
certainty. 

Upon this line as a base depended the lines of the State lots; not 
only of those lots immediately upon it, but of those which depended 
on distances chained, years sihce, north or south from this base line. 

Records were found, wdiich proved that the line had orginally been 
run with the magnetic compass and common chain. The line had 
never been monumented; the Colonial Surveyors merely marking 
the trees sighted to by the compass in the dense wild forest. 

I was convinced after an examination of the ancient records and 
of witnesses from the locality — compass surveyors and those having 
a knowledge of the land lines — that it would be necessary to rerun 
this line with precision; measuring a traverse along it with transit 
and steel-tape, connected and located by triangulation. 

Two nearly parallel marked lines were said to exist at the north 
easterly end of the Jerseyfield patent, each old and the marks in 
grown and covered by the bark of the trees. 

Early in the investigation, Mr. Lorin Kelley, Surveyor, reported 
to me that he had inspected a line, crossing the large lake in the 
north part of the patent, known as Jerseyfield lake, and that he 
had retraced the line, both east and west, and found it to cross certain 
lakes and streams, in a manner resembling the description in the 
ancient records, of the portion of the north line of the patent sup¬ 
posed to extend through this section. He also reported finding 
some distance to the eastward of Jerseyfield lake, another line about 
a quarter of a mile north from the first line. 

Further research proved, that this northernmost line was accepted 
by some local surveyors as the true north line of Jerseyfield. 

There was also an impression, that possibly, neither of these lines 
was the true Jerseyfield line, and it was this feature of the case; 
the general uncertainty of the location of the north line of Jersey¬ 
field; which induced the Comptroller to urge that I should give to 
its location special attention. 

After carefully considering all the evidence that could be obtained 
relative to this line, I found myself possessed of the following in¬ 
formation : 

(l.) That the West line of the Jerseyfield patent could not be 


on State Land Survey. 


37 


questioned, being the West Canada creek, called by the Indians in 
1768 the Teioga river. 

(2.) That Isaac Yrooman on July 16th 1768 commenced the .sur¬ 
vey of Jerseyfield at the north-east corner of the Royal Grant, and 
traced the line westward to the said West Canada creek, to a point 
which I identified as being a short distance below the present village 
of Graht in Herkimer County. 

(3.) That the distance recorded by him on this line was 23 miles 
7 chains and 33 links (1847.33 chains or 121,923^ feet) and the 
magnetic bearing of the line South 58° East. 

(4.) That a traverse up the East bank of the West Canada creek 
was made by Yrooman and shown upon his map of the patent; 
which gives the points where brooks were crossed or islands met 
with in the river etc. and that at the “ head of a large island,” he 
commenced to run the north line of Jerseyfield on a magnetic bear¬ 
ing of S. 58° E., intending it to be parallel with the north line of 
the Royal Grant, and of a length equal to the south line of the Jer¬ 
seyfield patent. 

Yrooman was accompanied by six Indians representatives or com¬ 
missioners on behalf of their tribe, “ the Canajoharry Castle;” and 
he states in his journal: (July 23d, 1768) “ We camt friday night at 
“ the mouth of a Reaver dam. Saturday morning the Indians told 
“ me I was opposite of the northern most of the three small lakes. 
“ I went to the lake with three Indians and three white men and 
“ ran from the Northern end of said lake N. 58° W. 6 miles and one 
“ chain to the Canada or Tioga Brook, and struck the same just above 
“ the upper end of the large island. 

“ Sunday. 

“ Monday we went the same line back again from the upper end 
“of the island S. 58° E.,” &c. &c. 

“ At 6 miles 1 chain to the first small lake where we camped 


Monday night.” * * * * 

* 

* 

* 

* 

“ At 8 miles 32 chains to the second lake.” 

* 


* 

* 

“ At 9 miles 58 chains to the third lake.” 

* 

* 

* 

* 

“ At 19 miles 30 chains to a small lake.” 

* 

* 

* 

* 


“ At 22 miles 51 chains to the top of a steep rocky hill.” 

“ At 23 miles 7 chains & 33 links, down the hill to about the 
“ middle of another small lake of about 20 chains over. I made the 
“ corner by running at right angles where there is another small lake 

“ near adjoining on the north of about the same bigness.” 

* * * * 




38 


Report of Verplanck Col yin 


Here we perceive the value of topographical notes; for his men¬ 
tion of the distances at which he reached these lakes, gives a chain 
of unmistakable natural land marks; lakes, whose rock bound shores 
form unalterable monuments. 

It was now possible to form a plan for the identification and 
restoration of this ancient boundary line, in such manner that the 
re-survey would carry with it the logical evidence of its correctness. 

Believing that the “ island” in the West Canada creek mentioned 
by Vrooman could be identified and made the initial point of the 
new survey, I determined to make search for it, presuming that 
the original marked trees would be found in the forest on the river 
bank. 

As the retracing of so ancient a line would call for great experience 
in woods-craft; for such ancient marks are frequently entirely in¬ 
visible to untrained eyes; and wishing also to have whatever line 
was established fortified by every precaution and the testimony 
of all the old experts in forest surveying, I selected two men, 
whose life long experience in forest surveying made them author¬ 
ities upon such lines, sending with them a competent corps of 
chainmen, flagmen and axemen to execute the work. * These men 
were Mr. S. IT. Snell and Griffith Jones. The former has been 
engaged on surveys, in Totten and Crossfield and Macomb’s pur¬ 
chase, since 1830, having been in survey work in every portion of 
the wilderness and also on the original surveys of the Sackets 
Harbor Railroad and other engineering works in the wilderness. 
Mr. Jones had personal knowledge of some of the lines of the interior 
allotment of the Jerseyfield patent, and was acquainted with the 
amount of allowance that should be made for the change in the 
variation of the needle in retracing lines of that period, from his 
own experience on the lines of the Royal Grant, and the He Witt 
and Matchin Tracts; which are adjacent to Jerseyfield on the west. 
His knowledge of old marked lines and of where side lines come in, 
forming lot corners on the main line, I believed would be of service* 

With these gentlemen I associated Mr. J. B. Koetteritz, a civil 
engineer and surveyor of skill and experience, who, under appoint¬ 
ment from the Comptroller, held the position of State land agent 
for the county of Herkimer. (While serving upon the State Land 
Survey, Mr. Koetteritz drew salarly only from this department.) 

To Mr. Koetteritz was assigned the duty of inspecting and verify¬ 
ing the work of the two experts; and he was also charged with the 
reconnaissance for points on hills near the line, suitable for trigono- 


ojst State Lajstd Sueyey. 


39 


metrical stations by which the line could be connected with the 
triangulation of the interior of the Adirondack region, executed 
during former years. He carried with him copies of the field notes 
of the ancient surveys, and had with him a hand level and a superior 
aneroid barometer for use in sketching the topography. 

The measurements were entrusted to Mr. S. S. Snell with Mr. 
A. M. Mosscrop as his assistant, who, with three sturdy woodsmen 
to act as axemen and packmen in the forest, completed this party. 

The portion of work on the north line of Jerseyfield now proposed 
to be done was in the first instance explorative. It was the duty of 
this party to make search and rediscover the line at its western end, 
where it was not so much in dispute. 

As soon as the line was identified beyond all question, I directed 
Mr. Koetteritz to organize a transit party and make a rigidly exact 
traverse of it; connecting it by offset transit lines with signals to be 
be built on the nearest summits. 

On June 27th the survey party rendezvoused upon the banks of 
the West Canada creek in the county of Herkimer near the south 
line of the town of Wilmurt, where the experts, after consultation, 
believed the line should be found. 

The party included the superintendent of the survey, the two 
experts, the State land agent, the two chain men and three axemen. 

The banks of the West Canada creek, generally abrupt at this 
point, are upon the opposite eastern shore in the direction in which 
the survey w r as to be made, covered with dense forest. Here we 
discovered, to our alarm, the lumbermen had made great havoc. 
To our dismay, also, more than one island was discovered. Indeed 
for several miles, islands, both large and small, were found; the 
stream, dark and picturesque, flowing over a bed of water-worn 
boulders, around and among the devious channels, rendering ex¬ 
ploration difficult. 

At length a line of old marked trees was discovered upon the 
opposite side of the river; and, fording a rapid below the line, we 
proceeded to examine it. By one of the oldest inhabitants we were 
informed that this was the south line of Vrooman’s patent: this, 
if true, would have made it the north line of Jerseyfield, of which 
we were in search. 

The difficulty that now arose was that there was here no “island” 
at all, notwithstanding the statement of the ancient field notes that 
the point of departure of the line was from the “ upper end of the 
large island.” 


40 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


An unbroken forest extended along a low shore of polished drift 
rock and bushes (alders, red willows and elder) skirting the stream; 
huge elms, water maples and yellow birches forming the interior 
forest. Entering the woods, the forest-flat was found to be wet. and 
evidently subject to overflow by freshets. At a distance of six chains 
back from the shore the bluff was encountered, and I had no difficulty 
in tracing the line by the ancient blazes upon the trees, although on the 
trunks of the gigantic, moss-grown “ liard-woods ” in the swamp, lit¬ 
tle more than a large oval spot, looking like mildew was discernible. 
The eyes of the aged experts did not require spectacles to identify 
these “ mildews ” as very old marks. One called attention to the 
vertical seam or suture separating the oval into two parts. The other 
detected upon the bark two smoothed surfaces which he identified as 
axe-marks more than a century ago. The difference was perceptible 
to the touch; the bark where it had been shaved by the axe remaining 
smoother than elsewhere on the body of the tree. 

While all agreed that this was a very ancient survey line, more than 
a century old, the discrepancy in regard to the island disturbed us ; no 
island being located at this point, except three low bush-covered 
gravel banks some distance down stream. 

The supposition was made that in the lapse of a century, floods 

had eroded and destroved the island that once existed here. This 

«/ 

supposition I held ill-founded. The growth of timber on the banks 
of the stream was of an age which, when the condition of the river 
bed was studied, led me to believe that the small islands below had 
not extended up into the narrow channel opposite the line. 

The wading of the river made the examination of the banks and 
islands uncomfortable work in a stream fed from mountain springs, 
from which the ice and snow had not yet all disappeared, and Mr. 
S. S. Snell, who was not only a good topographer and chainman but 
a professional ship carpenter, soon constructed, with the aid of the 
axemen, a light bateau in which he ferried the searchers across the 
water and greatly facilitated the work. 

Search was instituted at the head of every island up and down 
stream for a considerable distance, and a new traverse of the stream 
made to compare with the ancient work, to find the corresponding 
angles and bends of the river that might be identified with the old 
survey notes. 

Thus proceeding and directing the men, I followed the banks of 
the stream downwards from the old line into dense underbrush and 
came at length to a promontory projecting down stream, having a 


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on" State Land Survey. 


41 


deep arm of the creek on either side. The point on which I now 
found myself was so much like an island that even the axemen, whose 
interest had become excited, exclaimed that possibly this promontory 
was the island sought. 

Ascending the promontory nearly to the line again we managed 
to cross the inner arm of the stream, and found that a long, deep 
bayou extended between the bluff and promontory nearly up to the 
old line that we had found. 

The ancient field notes were now brought forth and re-examined. 
The length of the island was found duly entered therein, together 
with the magnetic bearings of the lines as chained in 1768 : 

“ S. 13° E. ll ch 50 1 the lower end of an island. 

“ S. 67° 3d E. 42 ch under the bank and in the water. 

“ IN’. 88° E. 13 ch to the upper end of an island.” 

An allowance of four degrees being made for the change in the 
variation, the old stations were approximated and the retracing at¬ 
tempted. The bearings followed the shore, and led so remarkably 
under the steep bank and into the water that the men, much amused 
as well as very wet, agreed that there was no mistake about this 
portion of the line. 

The problem was : how came the island converted into a promon¬ 
tory ? Near the upper end of the bayou at the neck of the promon¬ 
tory was a deep bay into which two small streams ran. One of these 
small streams came down close under the bluff into this deep 
hole ; the other, apparently formed by filtration from the creek, 
which ran at a higher level opposite the neck of the promontory, 
came in from the northwestward, i. e., from the direction of the 
creek, along an irregular sunken channel of oozy moss-covered rocks, 
partly grown up to bushes and was overhung and shut in by the 
forest. 

Here, I imagined that I saw the solution of the difficulty. This 
side channel had, a century since, been open and traversed by a 
branch of the creek. Subsequent floods had closed the mouth of 
the channel and it had grown up to brush. While this was plausible, 
it was annoying to find that the last compass course of the ancient 
traverse of the stream did not plat in accordance with the real loca¬ 
tion of this side channel. 

The whole of June 28th was occupied by the search and owing to 
rain, those of the party who searched the forest for lines of marked 
trees, were as wet as those who waded the stream and searched the 
shores. By night every man was soaked with water, and cold and 

[Assem. Doc. No. 126.] 6 


42 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


chilled; yet, notwithstanding every exertion, only the one old line 
could be found, though the forest, at the head of the islands above 
and below, was carefully searched. 

To test the age of this line I directed the axemen to cut into the 
trees and take out blocks deep enough to reach the original marks. 
A number of trees, spruce, yellow birch and beech, were examined 
in this manner and gave the best proof yet obtained that this was the 
original line. The annual rings of growth were very distinct and 
could on each block, bo counted back to the year 1768. So 
deep, however, had these marks been overgrown by the wood that 
often, after chopping five or six inches into the hard-wood trees, there 
would be no trace of even an outward leading suture or seam, and 
only when within one or two inches of the mark would any trace of 
the process of ingrowing be discernible. 

The magnetic bearing of this line was between two and three de¬ 
grees less than that recorded by Vrooman in his original survey, but 
this was only a proof of the accuracy of the line, as the direction of 
the change was in that of the known movement of the needle. It 
was remarkable that the change in the declination had been so small. 
What the absolute declination was, I was not able to determine on 
account of the continuance of the storm, which hid the stars at night 
and, during the day, gave us but one or two dim uncertain glimpses 
of the diffused sunlight between bursts of rain. 

The morning of June 29th showing a continuance of the storm, 
and time pressing; (other surveys in other counties calling for my 
attention,) I ordered the line found to be retraced scrupulously to 
whatever point it should come, directing it to be measured with a 
light steel chain divided into links—in accordance with the ancient 
system—so as to follow, as nearly as might be, the course of the old 
line; the greatest care, however, being taken to secure exact hori¬ 
zontal measurements. The initial point of the re-measurement was 
a massive granite boulder, which was drawn from the river bed by 
powerful horses chained to it; the horses having forded the river on 
the rapids below the line, and the stone being drawn along the river 
bank to the station. Another large stone intended as a reference 
monument, was drawn to and set on the opposite bank of the creek 
(here only one hundred and six feet wide,) and from this reference 
monument a line was run 1ST. 27° 30' E. 6 chains and 27 links 
(413 t 8 ¥ 2 f feet), to a drill hole in a massive block of granite weighing 
between ten and twenty tons which was made the second reference 
monument. 


on State Land Survey. 


43 


This great rock is consequently to the north of the south line of 
the town of Wilmurt in Herkimer county, at the distance given, 
and stands back from the shore of the creek in the bank. 

These reference marks are thus particularly described to facilitate 
the future finding of the initial point of this line. Commencing at 
the monument set on the west shore of the creek, the line was 
brushed out by the axemen to the top of the bluff, one-eiglith of a 
mile distant, and rising 80 feet above the creek. Having set up the 
solar transit above the monument I waited long and anxiously and in 
vain for a glimpse of the sun in order to obtain the true bearing of 
the line and declination of the needle. The magnetic bearing here 
observed was S. 54° 35 1 E., a decrease of 3° 25' since 1768. 

Having got the party started and sufficiently supplied with pro¬ 
visions, I gave the assistant in charge instructions to look carefully 
for the lakes mentioned by the original surveyors, and to send out a 
messenger to the nearest postoffice with reports of their progress, 
every few days, as I hoped to be able to rejoin them in a short time 
and inspect their work. 

I had purposely refrained from sending surveyor Kelley with this 
party, inasmuch as he had expressed an opinion as to which of the 
two lines on the north bounds of Jerseyfield was the correct boundary, 
he assenting to my view that it would be better to send surveyors who 
had never traced this line, and obtain their independent conclusions 
as to which was the right one. While this party was engaged in 
retracing the line, I availed myself of Mr. Kelley’s thorough knowl¬ 
edge of the region to aid me in selecting points proper to be occu¬ 
pied in the triangulation; and, under his direction, the signal station 
upon the elevated summit now known as Mt. Jerseyfield, was made 
ready. The peculiar advantage of this station consisted in its near¬ 
ness to the north line of the Jerseyfield Patent. This summit being 
determined by triangulation and connected with the vast net-work 
of lines in the interior, could be tied, by a measured transit line, to 
the boundaries of the patent, and thus—ultimately — the results 
of the new survey of the Jerseyfield line be oriented and located. 

It is not necessary to go over the daily work of these survey par¬ 
ties in detail. The results are shown upon the maps of their survey. 
The work under Messrs. Koetteritz, Snell and Jones, was carefully 
done, and the measurements and topography carefully taken. 

Soon after leaving the West Canada creek the line brought them into 
the clearings at Wilmurt Corners, in the county of Herkimer, along 
old marks and stone fences which, in the memory of the oldest in- 


44 


Report of Verplanck Colyin 


habitants, had been known to be the Jerseyfield line. The wilder¬ 
ness was, however, soon entered again and the experts soon detected 
old lines of marked trees coming in from the southward and ceasing 
upon the line which they were retracing. These they identified as 
lines of the original allotment of the Jerseyfield patent, and they 
were found to agree very closely with the ancient field notes. Lot 
corners of Vrooman’s patent were also discovered and at 472 chains 
and 10 links (5 miles, 72 chains, 10 links,) they suddenly came out 
upon the shores of a lake Which was immediately identified as the 


“ first lake” found by Vrooman in 1768. 

Vrooman’s distance was. 481.00 chains. 

The new survey made the distance from the shore 

of Canada creek. 472.10 chains. 

A difference of. 8.90 


This difference showed that the original measurement must have 
been made with what land surveyors term “ drag-chain,” up and 
down hill without attention being paid to the exact horizontal dis¬ 
tance. In those days this loose measurement up and down hill is 
said by tradition to have been common; w r hile the ordinary remark 
at the end of ancient field notes saying, “ with the usual allowance 
“ for highways and bridges,” was very indefinite. 

This first lake, known now as Mount’s lake, was crossed by the line 
near the outlet without difficulty; and the survey party, cheered by 
the belief that they were upon the true boundary,- pushed on. 

At 664 chains and 50 links the line reached the shores of another 
lake known to the guides as North Branch lake. 

This was evidently the “second lake” of Vrooman, which, by his 
measurement, was 672 chains from the West Canada creek. 

The difference between the two measurements here amounted to 
7 chains and 50 links. 

North Branch lake was crossed by triangulation ; and despatches 
were sent to me at Albany announcing these discoveries, and the 
probability that Jerseyfield lake was, without doubt, Vrooman’s 
“third lake,” and that the survey party would reach there on Satur¬ 
day, July 7th. The despatch also announced shortness of supplies, 
and urged that provisions be sent to them at Jerseyfield lake. 

Leaving Little Falls on the morning of the 7th of July. I reached 
Jerseyfield lake the same night, myself, baggage, instruments and 
the provisions for the party being drenched by severe thunder storms 
en route, notwithstanding rubber blankets. The roads were in a fear¬ 
ful condition. No spring wagon could endure the strains to which 






on State Land Survey. 


45 


the heavy lumber truck was subjected in passing over boulders and 
crumbling corduroy. The instruments were carefully packed in hay 
for transportation. 

On arriving at Jerseyfield lake I found that the survey party had 
not yet arrived. I went by boat to the extreme western end of the 
lake, but pistol shots and shouts failed to obtain any response, and we 
were left in doubt as to the whereabouts of the party. Judging 
from the ancient field notes I could not see how, on the course which 
they were running, they could avoid striking this lake. At evening 
I was conducted by Mr. Kelley to a point on the west shore of the 
lake and shown old marked trees which he believed would prove to 
be the old Vrooman line. 

July 8th was Sunday. About noon on Sunday one of the guides 
arrived from the survey party, bringing out one of the men with 
him, who had been taken sick. By dinner time the packmen and 
subordinates of the survey party had come in after provisions. The 
line was still a mile west of Jerseyfield lake, but was coming directly 
to it. In the afternoon the packmen marched back through the 
woods carrying food for the surveyors who had remained in camp. 

On the morning of Monday, July 9th, I set out with Mr. Kelley 
and ascended Mt. Jerseyfield, finding its height by barometer to be 
2,323 feet above the sea, but only 38T feet above Jerseyfield lake, 
which lay hidden in a valley three miles to the north-west. 

The solar transit was set up, and repeated observations of the sun 
taken to determine the direction of the true meridian, which, by 
comparison with the magnetic observations gave the declination of 
the needle at 8° 57/3 west from true north. The latitude of this 
station is 43° 15' 50" and its longitude 74° 43' 55/ 

Observations were secured to numerous wooded peaks, and a plan 
for connecting with the triangulation to the northward and east¬ 
ward by way of Mt. Hamilton and Mt. Matteson, drawn but the 
station was so low and fiat that many important points could not be 
observed at this time, and it became necessary to defer these meas¬ 
urements until a high tripod or tower could be built which would 
elevate the instrument sufficiently to clear the obstructions. 

Written orders as to the details of this work were drawn up and 
forwarded to the chief signalman, then on Mt. Hamilton, for recon¬ 
structing the signal on Mt. Jerseyfield to a height of eighty feet 
above the rock. 

The view from Mt. Jerseyfield is peculiar; few sharp peaks being 
visible, except far to the eastward. The mountains are disposed in 


46 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


long ridges extending east and west, forest covered, and extremely 
wild; and, although many lakes exist in thedow-lands, not one body of 
water can be seen from this summit; all is an unbroken sea of woods. 

At 8:30 p. m. I reached Jerseyfield lake, and found surveyors 
Snell and Jones awaiting me with the news that the line would 
probably reach Jerseyfield lake next day. They were working over 
difficult ground; the old marked trees were few and far between, 
and the line difficult to trace. 

Advantage was now taken of clear weather to secure observations 
for local time and azimuth. 

The morning of July 10th was bright and pleasant, and all were 
anxious to learn where and at what distance the line would strike 
Lake Jerseyfield. The atmosphere was clear, pure and delicious, 
and the lake, although sparkling in the morning sun, yet partook of 
the deep azure of the sky. 

Under my directions Mr. Kelley placed signals upon the prominent 
points, and a location near a sand beach on the western shore was 
selected for the measurement of a base-line from which to triangu¬ 
late and measure the width of the lake where the line now being 
surveyed should cross it. 

In order to obtain the variation of the needle at numerous points, 
and the true azimuth of the line, wherever it should cross the lake, 
repeated observations of the sun were taken with solar transit, both di¬ 
rect and reverse as well as meridian observations of the sun for latitude. 

The declination of the needle was found to be 9° 12 .0 west of 
true north at the station at West point on the west shore of the lake, 
and 9° 02'.8 west of true north at East point. The direct and 
reverse true azimuths along this line were practically identical; the 
magnetic needle showing a local attraction between the stations of 
about nine minutes of arc. 

The most marked local attraction, however, was discovered at the 
station on Long point; a high rocky promontory which juts into the 
lake from the north shore, a sudden changing of the Earth’s direc¬ 
tive magnetic force amounting to 3° 25', being discovered. The 
distance from West point is only half a mile, and so great a local attrac¬ 
tion of the needle as that found at Long point, can only be accounted 
for by the existence of magnetic iron ore somewhere in this vicinity. 
The time is not distant when the valuable deposits of iron existing 
upon the State lands will be eagerly sought, and there is no doubt, 
that with careful management, such mines may become a source of 
great public profit without detriment to the forests. 


on State Land Survey. 


47 


It was near noon, when a distant shout on the western shore of the 
lake, warned us of the approach of the surveyors tracing the ancient 
line. To the delight of Mr. Kelley they emerged from the forest 
at the very point which he had believed was the original line. The 
line came down to the shore through a cluster of spruce trees which 
bore ancient ingrown marks, but no inscriptions cut upon the bark. 
The age of the line was 115 years, and the old experts were decided 
in their opinions as to the identity of this line with the original line 
run by Yrooman in 1768. If any proof were wanting it was given 
by the comparison of the old and new measurements. Yrooman’s 
original notes were opened and the following entry noted: “ Then 
u continuing my course S. 58° East at 9 miles 58 chains to the third 
“lake” soil u stony, timber hemlock, spruce, pine.” 

The 9 miles and 58 chains are equal to . 778 chains. 

Our new measurement made the distance 

to this third lake . . . 763.90 chains. 

Difference .... 14.10 chains* 

This is 930 y 6 -^ feet shorter than the distance as recorded by Yroo¬ 
man ; but our experience of these old lines, measured rudely with 
“ drag-chain,” when compared with true horizontal measurements, 
which must always be much shorter than the irregularly measured 
lines made us consider this third agreement with the ancient topo¬ 
graphical notes a sufficient proof of the identity of the line retraced 
with that originally run by Yrooman. Ee-measurements of such old 
lines, when made with precision, frequently show such differences be¬ 
tween the old “ drag chain ” and modern horizontal measurements. 

We had now found the true north line of the Jerseyfield Patent, 
identified by its striking the three several lakes at nearly the dis¬ 
tances recorded in the old notes. It is only necessary to add, that in 
the sections so far traversed on this line, nowhere near it, to the north 
or south, were there any other three lakes, or any two lakes, which 
could be thus located on any line of similar bearing or within miles 
of it. 

Another fact w T as settled by the work so far done on the Jerseyfield 
line. If any double line existed it must be to the eastward of Jer¬ 
seyfield lake. The assistants reported to me that the line had been re¬ 
traced from the West Canada creek on an average magnetic bearing 
of S. 55° 02' E. The result from the mean of all the readings taken 
along the line by computation showed a change from the original 
bearing (S. 58° 00' E.) of 2° 57'.1 being the resultant of the com- 



48 


Beport of Yerplanck Colvin 


bined annual deflections, eastward and westward, of the magnetic 
needle since July, 1768. 

The line having been found on the eastern shore of Jerseyfield 
lake was now located by signals placed at either end. The station 
on the western shore was an immense boulder, bedded at the water’s 
edge among other immense stones marked as hereafter described. 

This boulder or block of granite was, upon its upper surface, flat; 
and being large and nearly rectangular, made an excellent instrument 
station. The transit was set up upon it, and the station centre 
shown by a drill-hole in the rock, subsequently to receive the nickel 
plated copper bolt recording the line thus monumented. 

The surface of this great stone was 14 inches above the lake. It 
is surrounded and immovably secured by other boulders. The astro¬ 
nomical azimuth of the Jerseyfield line where it crosses the lake, 
was found by the mean of seven observations to be S. 63° 56'42".l 
East. 

This w T as, consequently, the azimuth of the line in 1768. Comparing 
it with the original compass bearing we find S. 63° 56.7’ E. true. 

Less the original compass bearing . S. 58° 00.0' E. magnetic. 

Difference. 5° 56.7 West. 

This difference is the amount of the magnetic declination in 1768, 
and must be recorded as having been 5°, 5 6 .7 west of true north in 
that year. 

The average Declination in 1883, at this point of tlie line , was 
found to be 9 07' west of true north. 

Deducting from 9° 07. 0 

Yariation in 1768 5° 56.'7 

Shows a change of 3° 10/3 to the westward, or thirteen 
minutes more than the average change (2°, 57'. 15). along the line 
west of this lake. 

This change of 3° 10'.3=190'.3, is the resultant of both eastward 
and westward movements of the needle. In the discussion of these 
magnetic observations I have come to the conclusion that at the 
period of the original survey of Jerseyfield, the declination at this 
important station was 5° 56/7 West of true north, and since that 
date the declination has always been to the west of the true meridian 
although for about thirty-five years following 1768, there was a 
slight change eastward, ceasing about the year 1803, with a declina¬ 
tion of 5° 23' West. By 1838 the needle must have crept back to 
its declination of the year 1768, the annual change to the west- 




on State Land Survey. 


49 


ward being more rapid until 1860, when computation based on ad¬ 
jacent lines would indicate that the movement west had reached 4\3 
per year. This annual westerly movement is now probably greater, 
than in 1860, but can only be precisely determined by repeated obser¬ 
vations. 

To the eastward of Jerseyfield lake I found the line very difficult 
to follow. 

Assistants Blake and Francisco coming in to Jerseyfield lake, 
from a reconnaissance to the eastward of State lands in Hamilton 
county, reported that a few miles east of Jerseyfield lake, they had 
struck the “ double line of Jerseyfield,” and had followed the north¬ 
ernmost line for miles. This northernmost line they said was known 
to lumbermen as the “ Brayhouse line,” but from whom the title was 
derived they were unable to learn. 

The question now to be decided was, whether the true line which 
we had retraced so far, was the northernmost or southernmost of 
the two lines to the eastward. We had so far retraced 9 miles 58 
chains of the old north line, the length of the entire line being 23 
miles and 57 chains; there remained 13 miles and 29 chains to be 
retraced, verified and located. 

Having need of the services of assistant Snell as expert in re¬ 
tracing the Herkimer and Oneida county line, of which a report is 
hereafter given, I directed him to return to Boonville to organize his 
survey party there and in Lewis county; the party to rendezvous 
on July 14th, at Forestport. 

At the same time I gave instructions to Mr. Koetteritz to extend 
the survey of the Jerseyfield line eastward, from the east shore of 
the lake to the north-easterly corner of the Jerseyfield Patent, along 
the line of original marked trees of Vrooman’s survey. 

Mr. Jones was directed to remain with Mr. Koetteritz as expert 
in regard to line trees. The party, however, by the return of Mr. 
Snell with his topographer and axeman was shorthanded, and Mr. 
Koetteritz was ordered to secure other men to replace them. 
As additional supplies were required, and his next absence would 
now be for over a month in the wilderness, he found that five or six 
days were needed in the settlements. At the end ot that time the 
new men and the provisions had been secured, and the tracing 
of the line eastward from Jerseyfield lake was resumed on July 19th; 
the new men rendezvousing at Salisbury on the 17th, and marching 
in on the 18th to the lake. 

[Assem. Doc. No. 126.] . 


7 


50 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


(SECTION II.) 

The second survey party consisted of J. B. Koetteritz in charge, 
with Griffith Jones as compass surveyor, expert on old lines : A. M. 
Mosscrop, 1st chainman; A. G. Warren, 2d chainman; E. F. Nor¬ 
throp, forward flagman ; C. H. Smith, rear flagman ; four (4) axemen 
and packmen, one cook and campkeeper. 

Inasmuch as the line was now approaching the most difficult 
section, it became necessary to know the slightest deflections. I 
thereupon ordered Mr. Koetteritz to repeat every angle. The meas¬ 
urements were to be made with 50 ft. steel ribbon, graduated to 
tenths and hundredths of a foot, held horizontal under ten pounds 
tension by levels attached to brass handles, and aligned by transit. 
These distances were recorded by each chainman separately and 
checked by the telemeter stadia wires in the telescope of the transit. 
At every station the magnetic bearings were recorded direct and 
reverse, and vertical angles to the tops of the station “ flags ” or 
centre poles. 

These centre poles were staffs divided for stadia reading, and held 
vertical by levels and tripods. 

By these means great exactness in the measurements, both of 
directions and distances, were secured, and a positive knowledge 
obtained by which to test, settle and locate forever the disputed line. 

While this party was organizing I returned via Little Falls, a 
toilsome journey,* to the Capitol, and spreading before me the 
ancient maps of the Jerseyfield and Lawrence patents, examined 
them in the light of the new evidence obtained. The old field notes 
of the several patents cornering together at the north-easterly corner 
of the Jerseyfield patent disclosed, on careful inspection, some sur¬ 
prising differences in the description of this corner. 

As this corner would be the terminus of the line now being: run 
by Mr. Koetteritz, and as the entire question as to the proper north 
line might depend upon this north-easterly corner, I searched every 
record of the period which gave any account of it. 


*Tlie forest roads out from Jerseyfield were in a fearful condition. My transit 
required to be sent to the instrument makers for repairs after its rough journey. 
To maintain a good instrument in order for accurate work in the wilderness, it 
should be kept carefully packed in its box and the box transported in a proper 
knapsack by one of the men. If a large theodolite; hand-bars and straps and 
relays of packmen should transport it as soon as good roads and light spring wag. 
ons are left behind. This rule should be adhered to whatever may be the objec¬ 
tions of the men. 




on State Land Survey. 51 

In the original survey of Yroornan I found the following descrip¬ 
tion of this corner: 

“At 22 miles, 51 chains on the top of a steep, rocky hill at 23; 
“ miles, 7 chains and 33 links down the hill to about the middle of 
“ another small lake of about 20 chains over, I made the corner by 
“ running at right angles where there is another small lake near 
“ adjoining on the north of about the same bigness where we camped* 
“ Thursday night.” 

Thus Yrooman, the original surveyor, makes this corner in “ about 
the middle of a small lake.” 

The other subsequent patents which were built up on the Jersey- 
field, and cornered at the same north-east corner of Jersey field, are 
as follows, viz.: 

(1.) Glen, Bleeker and Lansing’s patent (89,297 acres) has for its 
north-west corner the north-east corner of the Jerseyfield patent; 
but the ancient maps of “Glen, Bleeker and Lansing’s Patent” 
show the corner, not as “in the centre of a small lake” as Yroornan 
made it, but as “ a spruce tree ; ” his map (1793) bearing the inscrip¬ 
tion : “ This marked tree stands in the easternmost corner of Jersey¬ 
field,” and under date of 27th of October, 1794, Simeon De Witt, 
Surveyor-General of New York, gives the following description of 
this north-west corner of the Glen, Bleeker and Lansing patent, and 
says: “Beginning at the north-east corner of a tract of 94,000 acres 
“ of land granted to Henry Glen and others, commonly called Jersey- 
“ field, at a spruce tree standing about two chains north from a small 
“ lake, and marked with a blaze and two notches below on three 
“ sides and the letters C. G.; B. B.; A.; S. L. 1793.” 

Now, spruce trees do not grow in lakes, or even thrive well in 
marshes. The corners referred to were evidently not the same. 

(2.) Benson township, consisting of 61,503 acres, in the county of 
Hamilton, is asserted in ancient authorities, to have for its south¬ 
western corner, the north-easterly corner of the Jerseyfield patent. 
Yet, none of the old maps of the original surveys of that township 
show this corner located “ in a small lake ” as described by Isaac 
Yroornan. On a map of the township of Benson, made from its 
survey by Lawrence Yroornan in 1795, this corner is shown to the 
northward of a lake, and it is by this surveyor specified to be also 
the north-east corner of the Jerseyfield patent. 

This Lawrence Yroornan must not be confounded with Isaac 
Vrooman, the Colonial surveyor. 

Lawrence Yroornan was a resident of Schenectady; and I have not 


52 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


met with his name anywhere in connection with the original survey of 
the Jersey field patent. His surveys appear to have been made during 
the present century under the State government. This explanation 
is necessary, as it is believed that some have been misled by the sur¬ 
name into the belief that the same Vrooman surveyed both patents, 
and, therefore, must have known the true corners. 

It is evident from the field notes that Lawrence Vrooman had no 
knowledge of the location of the real corner of the Jerseyfield patent 
as first located by Isaac Vrooman. 

(3.) In addition to these two tracts, a third tract, heretofore men¬ 
tioned as the Lawrence patent, and containing 35,560 acres, also 
depends on the north-east corner of the Jerseyfield patent. 

The original description of this patent is contained in a communi¬ 
cation addressed by Simeon He Witt, Surveyor-General, February 
1, 1793, to “ His Excellency George Clinton, Esquire, Governor of 
“ the State of Hew York,” etc., and says: “ All that certain tract of 
“ land situate in the county of Herkimer on the north side of the 
u Mohawk river, beginning at the most easterly quarter of a tract of 
“ 91,000 acres of land granted to Henry Glen and others, and com- 
“ monly called Jerseyfield, and running from thence the following 
“courses as the needle pointed in the year 1770, to-wit: North, 
“ fifty-eight degrees west, along the north-easterly bounds of the 
“ said tract of land called Jerseyfield 1,061 chains to a tract of land 
“ granted to Thomas Sickels,” etc., etc. 

These quotations show that it was the intention that the patents 
mentioned should have one common corner at the north-east extrem¬ 
ity of the Jerseyfield; yet the records of the surveys of cdl of them 
differ in their description of the corner from that given by Isaac 
Vrooman as “ near the middle of another small lake ’ 

This difference in the description of the corners made it necessary 
to search for each of the lines converging at that point, so as to find, 
prove and identify the true corner — if there were but one — or to 
find the duplicate or triplicate corners, if such existed. To do this, 
it would be necessary to retrace those portions of the lines of the 
Benson Township, the Glen, Bleeker and Lansing tract and of the 
Lawrence patent, which led toward this corner. 

Having decided that this was necessary, I telegraphed surveyor 
Kelly to meet Mr. Francisco ; surveyor in charge of retracing lines 
in the county of Hamilton; and with Mr. Francisco to make the 
necessary resurvey of the line between the Benson township and 
the Glen, Bleeker and Lansing patent. To Mr. Francisco I gave 


on State Land Survey. 


53 


further instructions for the tracing of the east line of the Lawrence 
tract, to or from the easterly corner of Jerseyfield, in such manner 
as to prove where the line, “ south 32° west, 300 chains,” describing 
the east bounds of the Lawrence patent had its actual corner. 

It is an established principle of law, that wherever the corners or 
lines have been actually marked upon the ground and deeds given and 
accepted to those corners by such ancient marks is the ownership 
limited ; and by the lines or boundaries depending upon these corners 
are the titles to property, both of the State and of private individuals, 
rigorously confined by the decisions of the Courts. 

Such being the law of the land, the location of these important 
corners, involving titles to hundreds of thousands of acres for all 
time to come, could not be too carefully studied and searched out 
before a decision was arrived at, and the monuments finally placed 
by State authority for the future guidance of the local surveyors. 

With surveyors Francisco and Kelly, I sent R. H. Gere as topo¬ 
grapher. They were authorized to procure the necessary chainmen 
and axemen for the work, and ordered to commence on the south 
line of Benson, at an undisputed portion of the south line thereof, 
and north line of Glen Bleeker and Lansing, and to work thence 
westward toward the corner, at once. Estimating the rate at which 
the party under Mr. Ivoetteritz would be able to trace the north line of 
Jerseyfield eastward, Francisco and Kelly would reach the corner be¬ 
fore him from the opposite direction, and thus give marked lines to 
intersect upon, while the united judgment of all the experts could 
be brought to bear on the location of the corners while each was fresh 
from his work and alert and interested in all the questions involved. 

This section of work being organized, a glance at the progress of 
the survey party under Mr. Koetteritz is desirable. 

By August 1st, his careful and critical search along the north line 
of the Jerseyfield Patent, had been advanced 14,434-^- feet east¬ 
ward from Jerseyfield lake. The greatest difficulty had been met 
with in tracing the old line trees; which was the object of the sur¬ 
vey. Local attraction -was frequent to the amount of from 1° to 5° 
between back and foresights, and slight deflections in the old line 
made it often necessary to examine trees to some distance northward 
and southward of the range. To find and prove the ancient marks 
it was necessary to cut into the trees frequently and take out the 
marks, and count the rings of annual woody growth. These blocks 
from various trees, spruce, hemlock, balsam (fir), beech and yellow 
birch, with written attest of the surveyors, were forwarded to AL 
bany, where they are now preserved in the office of the survey in 


54 


Report of Yerplanck Colvin 


the new Capitol. At station Ho. 55 on this line, at the corner of lots 
87 and 88 of the Jersey field Patent, an offset was made and transit 
traverse run to the Signal station on the summit of Mount Jersey- 
field, by which this line has its connection with the triangulation of 
the interior. The total length of this offset transit line is over two 
miles. Being a traverse, the line requires to be reduced by compu¬ 
tation to one right line and one azimuth. This will be done at once 
and the results used in platting the line in proper position upon the 
map projection of Jerseyfield. 

Corners of lots in the Lawrence Patent were found and measured 
to as the line progressed. At station Ho. 70, the north-west corner 
of Fulton county was located and the line continued, forming the 
boundary between the counties of Fulton and Hamilton. The line 
south from this corner between Herkimer and Fulton, was found to 
bear S. 2° West. The region traversed was very wild, as extracts from 
the journal of the party show that traces of bears and other animals 
were met with. Mr. Koetteritz writes : “ Aug. 9tli. Packman sick. 
Topographer sent to Jerseyfield lake for a pack load of supplies. 
Line is getting very indistinct, but found some good marks. Heard 
all afternoon a mysterious noise like that of an engine. Thought it 
was an old she bear calling young ones. * * * * * 

“ Aug. 10th. Found that the noise originated from a large colony 
of blue-herons. “(Cranes).” The creek running along the line here 
shows signs of valuable minerals.” **.*•*** 

Aug. 11th to 14th continued the line. Aug. 15tli. Despatch from 
Jerseyfield lake from Superintendent to signalman Brown. Sent 
guide Daley to mountain. Brown gone. * * * * * 

Aug. 16th. Found the “extra” or “doubleline of Jerseyfield,” 
called by lumbermen the “Brayhouse” line. It was to the north¬ 
ward of the true line 23 chains and 13 links by traverse. Cut out 
blocks from marked trees on the true line and found them 115 years 
old. The marks on the false or Brayhouse line (south line of the 
Lawrence allotment), were not more than 90 years old, or twenty-five 
years less. Set monument on the true Jerseyfield line. This monu¬ 
ment is 11 t V( 7 feet east of the centre of the old Peseco lumber road, 
on the west bank of the East Canada creek, and 17 1 5 o 8 0 - east of 
Transit station Ho. 171 of Koetteritz's line as run by my direction. 
The monument is a large rock, flat on top, the centre marked with a 
“ drill hole and arrows on each side indicating the direction of the 
“ true Jerseyfield line. On the north side is cut the letter H for the 
“ county of Hamilton ; and on the south side the letter F for the 
“ county of Fulton. 


on State Land Survey. 


55 


The following diagram shows the location of this monument: 



Station No. ^ 171. 


Great difficulty and much delay were now experienced in tracing 
the old line, as the lumbermen had cut all over this section, getting 
out all the best spruce and soft wood timber, so that it was neces¬ 
sary to search for the line, where clumps of the hard woods, ancient 
beeches and birches were to be found. As such trees carry less 
trace of such ancient marks, and more frequently die or become rot 
ten in the interior from the old axe-mark, the difficulties encoun¬ 
tered and the anxiety and sense of responsibility felt in retracing a 
line 115 years old, all chopped over, cannot be understood without 
experiencing them. 

The distance to the East Canada creek by our measurement with 
steel ribbon, leveled and aligned, was 33,869^^- feet from Jersey- 
field lake, or by computation, 513.16 chains. The total distance 
now measured from the West Canada creek (head of the “island”) 
being 1,277 chains and 9 links. Isaac Vrooman in 1768 made this 
16 miles and 20 chains, or 1,300 chains. 

Deducting . . . 1,277 chains. 

The difference ... 23 chains 

less length by the new and exact measurement. The banks of a 
stream, however, form a less reliable check than the immovable rock- 
bound shore of one of these forest lakes. The lake is often so small 
in this section of the forest that it forms a mere spot upon the map 


I 














56 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


and is a reliable landmark, especially here, where there are no other 
small lakes in the vicinity. 

Abbreviating the details of this work it is here sufficient to state, 
that every lake alluded to in the original field notes, was found to 
be crossed at approximately the distances recorded by Yrooman on 
the southernmost of the two disputed lines, and that consequently, 
the northernmost or Brayhouse line was evidently in error and not 
entitled to be called the Jerseyfield line in any sense. 

The line was again proved at the crossing of Dexter lake : Yroo¬ 
man says, “ at 19 miles and 30 chains to a small lake.” This would 
be ... 1,550 chains. 

We obtained . . 1,527.35 chains. 

Difference . . . .22.65 chains 

less than the ancient measure. This was within less than half a chain 
the same as the difference found at the East Canada creek. 

It is needless to multiply examples. The three spectacle lakes 
were next encountered and were crossed by a careful triangulation 
from a base-line, measured with steel ribbon, and verified on a second 
base at the eastern end of the chain. The ancient surveyors passed 
these lakes by offsets with compass and chain. As the triangulation 
gave the distance with great exactness, it' might reasonably be ex¬ 
pected that a small change in the difference between the old and 
new measurements would now be found. At length, on the 4th of 
September, assistant Koetteritz traced the line to the summit of a 
hill which, from an elevation of 300 feet, looked down upon a small 
lake. This was the “steep rocky hill” described by Yrooman, and 
at a distance of 1,814.03 chains, the shores of the “small lake” 
mentioned bv Yrooman, were reached. 

Yrooman described this lake as being “ about 20 chains over” — 
and says that he made the corner “ about the middle.” To find the 
corner, therefore, 10 chains distance should be added to our traverse 
line, making a total of 1,824.03 chains. Yrooman’s exact words 
are: “ At 23 miles 7 chains and 33 links, down the hill to about the 
“ middle of another small lake of about 20 chains over, I made 
“ the corner by running at right angles wdiere there is another small 
u lake near adjoining on the north of about the same bigness.” 

Yrooman’s total distance along the north line of Jerseyfield is, 
consequently .... 1,847.33 chains. 

The new and exact measurement . . 1,824.03 chains. 

23.30 chains. 


Difference 



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on State Land Survey. 


57 


There is no question that this was Isaac Yrooman’s original line 
and that he actually located this corner in the little lake. The dif¬ 
ference of 23 chains and 30 links by Yrooman, is the error made by 
rough drag chain measurements. This difference was almost 
identical with that found at the crossing of East Canada creek, and 
is but half a chain from that at Dexter lake. It is possible, that in 
crossing Jerseyfield lake and the other waters to the westward, Yroo- 
man may have made an offset not recorded ; or, with his rude com¬ 
pass may have encountered a deflection on the offsets round the 
lakes, which, with the errors of the rough chaining with an unknown 
standard up and down hill, made the amount found by the new and 
critical measurement with steel ribbon. 

When the new measurement with graduated steel tape is cor¬ 
rected for temperature, and reduced to one azimuth, it will prove 
less than the amount above given, and increase the difference stated. 

The little lake in which the line terminated, and which forms the 
landmark or water mark, of the north-easterly corner of the Jersey¬ 
field Patent, I have identified as the westernmost of three lakes 
found by the early explorers of this region, the trappers Stoner 
and DeLine, “who, while hunting, discovered many bushels of dead 
“ fish, principally suckers, which had got over a Beaver dam in a 
“ freshet; and which, being unable to return, had died upon the re- 
“ cession of the waters to the great annoyance of the hunters; ”* who 
in consequence gave the disagreeable name of “ Stink lakes,” to 
the chain. They are still thus commonly known to hunters. I pre¬ 
fer to call them after the discoverers and rename them Stoner’s 
lakes. 

For the purpose of describing the locality more definitely, I shall 
call the lowermost and largest lake, situated almost entirely in Lot 
62 of Glen, Bleeker and Lansing’s purchase, as the lower Stoner 
lake. This lake has a bay extending northward across the Benson 
line, into which comes the inlet from the East lake, or De Line’s 
lake. On the north-western shore of the lower Stoner lake, the inlet 
from Yrooman’s lake enters, while the outlet of the main lake flows 
from its south-western extremity to the waters of Fish creek; and so 
to the East Canada and the Mohawk river. 

On arriving at Yrooman’s lake assistant Koetteritz found that sur¬ 
veyors Francisco and Kelley had preceded him, having finished their 
work in retracing the line of the Benson township, and the north 
line of the Glen, Bleeker and Lansing purchase; and were now re- 


* Simms’ History. 

[Assem. Doc. No. 126.] 8 


1 




58 


Report of Yerplanck Col yin 


tracing the boundary between the Benson township and Lawrence 
tract. 

In retracing the south line of the Benson Township they came, not to 
Isaac Yrooman’s lake, but to the old “ spruce tree,” described in the 
field notes of 1793, and erroneously called by Lawrence Yrooman the 
north-east corner of Jersey field. This ancient spruce was dead and 
crumbling into decay, but bore upon it the original blazes and hacks 
described by Lawrence Yropman. It was taken down and replaced 
by a stone monument; a huge boulder with drill-hole centre to re¬ 
ceive the inscribed nickel-plated copper bolt. The title proper to be 
placed upon it, was left for the decision of the Superintendent. It was 
necessary to await the completion of the surveys and the discussion of 
the results before the proper inscription could be settled upon, and the 
copper plate of the bolt-head engraved and nickel-plated. Mean¬ 
while the marked section of the ancient spruce tree was cut out with 
care and transported to Albany, and placed in the office of the Sur¬ 
vey at the Capitol. Surveyors Francisco and Kelley had also found 
two other ancient corners near the spruce tree, each one duly marked 
and witnessed. There was, therefore, an abundance of corners at 
this point; four corners having been found with marked lines run¬ 
ning to them, and each one supposed to be the north-east corner of 
the Jersey field. This was, of course, preposterous; but the existence 
of four duly marked corners remained as hard indigestible facts. 

The location of these several corners is well shown on the accom¬ 
panying diagram. At the close of the conference with the surveyors 
and an examination of numerous corners, Mr. Koetteritz returned to 
his own party at Yrooman’s lake; and, in accordance with my in¬ 
structions, commenced a secondary traverse line, with transit to con¬ 
nect the original Yrooman line and corner with the “corners” of 
Benson and Glen Bleeker and Lansing’s purchase. This traverse 
reached the old spruce tree corner at a distance of l,377 r 6 (j 9 o- feet (20 
chains 87 links) from station No. 337 of the resurvey of Jerseyfield 
line. At a distance of 4 chains 56 links further (N. 77° E.) the 
Brayhouse or false Jerseyfield line, was found cornering on the west 
line of the Benson township. Many additional details of interest 
might be given of the work done in this department of the survey, 
but the material facts have now been disclosed, and space and time 
both compel me to proceed at once to a statement of the results of 
the work. 



on State Land Survey. 


59 


Conclusions. 

After an examination of tlie ancient records and the rediscovery 
and retracing, by exact methods of survey, of the ancient lines, I 
reach the following conclusions: 

(1.) That four separate and distinct corners were located by the 
old surveyors of the Jersey field, the Glen, Bleekerand Lansing, the 
Benson and the Lawrence Tracts; and that in regard to these cor¬ 
ners the five expert surveyors, who executed the new work and whose 
several lines here converge, agree. 

(2.) That but one of these corners was, and really and in fact is 
the true north-east corner of the Jerseyfield patent, namely: the 
corner located in the westernmost of the three Stoner lakes by Isaac 
Vroom an in the year 1768, which is nearly in the centre of the water 
that should be called Vrooman’s lake, or the West Stoner lake. 

(3.) That the said corner is identified by the topography ; the line 
from the West Canada creek crossing lake after lake in the regular 
order described by Vrooman; and “ corners ” at last, after “ descend¬ 
ing a steep rocky hill,” in “ another small lake.” 

(4.) That Vrooman, by his method of rough drag-chain work, 
made the total distance too great from the West Canada creek to 
his north-east corner in the little lake; but this does not change the 
line or the corner that he established, as the original lines marked 
and corners located hold good, at law, notwithstanding any error 
which may have been made in the original record of measurements. 

(5.) That the north-west corner of the Glen, Bleekerand Lansing 
purchase, was not located at the north-east corner of the Jerseyfield 
patent, in the little lake described by Isaac Vrooman, but at a spruce 
tree, marked as a corner in 1793, twenty-five years after the survey 
of the Jerseyfield Patent. 

(6.) That the true line should extend from the south-west corner 
of the Benson township (the point marked B on the diagram) south¬ 
erly to the real Jerseyfield corner in Vrooman’s lake ; the western¬ 
most of Stoner’s cluster of ponds ; and that thence the east line of 
the Jerseyfield patent extends, south-westerly, to the corner of the 
Royal Grant at Devereaux. 

(7.) That the Benson Township south-west corner, did not extend 
to the real Jerseyfield corner, nor properly as far west as the spruce 
tree corner (now marked by a stone monument of 2,200 lbs. weight, 
set by the present survey); that the resurvey of the south and west 
lines of the Benson Township, produced southward and westward, 


60 


Report of Yerpla.nck Col yin 


intersect near a stake and heap of stones, to the eastward of the ancient 
spruce tree, a distance of 3.56 chains. 

(8.) That the south-west corner of the Benson township is not at 
the north-east corner of the Jerseyfield Patent, nor does it touch 
that patent at any point (a very considerable interval existing be¬ 
tween the two patents) ; but corners upon the north line of the Glen, 
Bleeker and Lansing patent at the stake mentioned. 

(9.) That the stake and heap of stones to the eastward of the in¬ 
tersection of the south and west lines of Benson, may have been 
considered by some as the true south-west corner of Benson ; that 
such stake and heap of stones at the north-east corner of the Jersey¬ 
field patent do not properly represent the south-west corner of the 
Benson Township, but may have been placed as the corner of lots 62 
and 63 of Glen, Bleeker and Lansing’s subdivision or allotment of 
their purchase. 

(10.) That the original survey of the Lawrence Patent bases the 
south line of that patent entirely upon the original north line of the 
Jerseyfield, as surveyed by Isaac Yrooman. 

(11.) That the south-east corner of the Lawrence Patent is identi¬ 
cal with the north-east corner of the Jerseyfield Patent, and is loca¬ 
ted in the little lake described by Isaac Yrooman, and identified as 
the westernmost of the Stoner lakes, on the north bounds of the 
county of Fulton. 

(12.) That the north line of the Lawrence Tract is, by the old 
measurements, properly located 300 chains N. 32° E. as the needle 
pointed in 1791, from the north line of the Jerseyfield patent be¬ 
tween Yrooman’s little lake and Jerseyfield lake, or between Yroo- 
man’s lake, and a point one thousand three hundred and eiglity-two 
chains therefrom northwestward on the Jerseyfield line. 

(13.) That the line known as, or called, the Brayhouse line, is not 
the north line of the Jerseyfield Patent, but is a later, subsequent 
line, located to the northward of Isaac Yrooman’s original line, 
marked for the north boundary of the Jerseyfield Patent. 

(14.) That an allotment of the east portion of the Lawrence tract 
has been made northward from the false Jerseyfield line or Bray¬ 
house line; leaving an interval between the true line and the Bray¬ 
house line not allotted or taken up although within the Lawrence 
patent. 

(15.) That this unoccupied strip of forest land in Lawrence patent, 
has been only partially cut upon by lumbermen, and contains between 
1,800 and 2,000 acres; and that such part as has not been held by ad- 


on State Land Survey. 


61 


verse possession against the State for a period of forty years, is still 
the property of the State, and is valued by qualified experts, having 
knowledge ot the value of timbered lands in that district, at $4 per 
acre, or about $8,000. 

(16.) That this strip of unoccupied land terminates with the Bray- 
house line, near Black Creek lake, at the east line of the Caldwell 
and Sickels patents, east of Jerseyfield lake. 

(17.) That the allotments of the Jerseyfield Patent terminate ne¬ 
cessarily at the boundaries of that patent; and, consequently, at the 
original north line as run by Isaac Yrooman, retraced by surveyors 
Koetteritz and Jones under the present survey, and verified by the 
work of surveyors Francisco and Kelley. 

(18.) That the allotment of the Lawrence patent, wherever com¬ 
mencing, terminates at its north line 300 chains by the original sur¬ 
vey from the north line of the Jerseyfield patent. 

(19.) That this north line of the Lawrence patent is the south line 
of the townships of Nobleborougli and Arthurborough produced 
south-eastward. 

(20.) That there is great probability that a gore or interval of un¬ 
occupied land exists northward of the Lawrence patent, between it 
and the Oxbow tract, occasioned by the Bray house line having been 
made the base for the allotment of the Lawrence patent; so that 
starting too far north, the allotment ran over and beyond the true 
bounds of the Lawrence tract; and that thus the north line of the 
outermost tier of lots was made a new north line beyond the true line ; 
and that this new allotment line became accepted as the south line 
of the Oxbow tract; but that the question cannot be settled with¬ 
out additional surveys. 

Should the location of the boundaries of the Oxbow tract prove 
this to be the case, the State is, here, the owner of another large area, 
gore, or tract of unoccupied land of 1,800 acres, worth from $2.00 
to $4.00 per acre, or from $3,600 to $7,200; and that no injustice 
may be done any private owner, inquiry should be made as to the 
occupancy of such lands and the taxes paid thereon, and descriptions 
thereof should be rendered to the Comptroller by the assessors; to 
the end that those who have paid such taxes may be dealt with equi¬ 
tably by the Comptroller, the Attorney-General and the Commis¬ 
sioners of the Land Office. 



62 


Report of Verplanok Colvin 


Findings. 

I find, therefore: 

I. 

That the Jerseyfield Patent is divided into 94 lots, located within 
the limits described by Isaac Vrooman in 1768. 

II. 

That none of the allotments, State or private, that may extend 
northward across the Jerseyfield line to the Brayliouse line are au¬ 
thoritative allotments of the Lawrence tract, and they cannot be 
allotments of the Jerseyfield patent as they are beyond its limits. 

III. 

That deducting the strip of land found to be actually an unoccu¬ 
pied southern portion of the Lawrence tract, the allotments of the 
Jerseyfield patent, as now marked upon the ground, are correct, 
where based upon Isaac Yrooman’s original corner in the small lake 
described by him and his original line, extending north-westward 
therefrom. 

IY. 

That the Benson township does not reach to or corner with the Jer¬ 
seyfield patent. 

Y. 

That the Lawrence patent is subdivided in a complicated manner ; 
and the cause of all the difficulty has been the disputed south line 
of that patent. 

YI. 

That there exists an unoccupied strip of forest land in the Law. 
rence patent, between the north line of the Jerseyfield and what is 
called the Bray house line; which latter line is the base and com¬ 
mencement of the proper allotment of the Lawrence patent. 

YII. 

That the unoccupied strip aforesaid or so much thereof as has not 
been held against the State by adverse possession for forty years, is 
the property of the State. 

YIII. 

That the allotments in the east portion of the Lawrence patent 
properly commence and extend northward (or N. 32° E. as the nee¬ 
dle pointed in 1793) from the Brayhouse, line as a base, to the north 
line of the Lawrence patent only, and there terminate ; and that all 


on State Land Survey. 


63 


other allotments of the eastern part of the Lawrence tract are erro¬ 
neous. 

IX. 

That the Caldwell and Sickels tracts are now properly allotted and 
located upon the true Jersey field line, and are not affected by the 
Brayliouse line allotment. 

X. 

That in addition to the twenty parcels of State land in Jerseyfield, 
and the numerous portions within the Lawrence allotment owned by 
the State, a large tract of unoccupied land have been discovered 
in the Lawrence patent between the Jerseyfield and Brayliouse lines, 
which properly appertains and belong to the State, but was not 
known to exist by the State authorities. 

XI. 

That there is probability that a similar area of unoccupied State land 
exists on the north bounds of the Lawrence patent, in the strip of land 
taken into the Lawrence allotment improperly, between the south 
line of Nobleborough and Arthurborough produced, and the south 
line of the Oxbow Tract if the south line of the Oxbow tract prove 
to be located northward of the original north line of the Lawrence 
tract. 

All the questions growing out of the complications arising from 
the disputed north bounds of the Jerseyfield Patent have thus been 
settled. The work has been extremely laborious and, affecting the 
title to over 300,000 acres of land, worth upward of a million dol¬ 
lars, has been one of responsibility and care. 


64 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


SECTION II. 

CLINTON COUNTY. 


The lands of the State in the county of Clinton, have an area of 
42,600 acres. They are principally contained in Townships Nos. 3, 
4 and 5 of the Old Military Tract. The lands in Townships 3 and 4, 
were found to have but little value as compared with those in town¬ 
ship No. 5, and in consequence of the limited time and means, it 
was found to be absolutely necessary to give almost exclusive atten¬ 
tion to those in Township No. 5. 

The desire of the Comptroller and State Tax department that the 
conflicting surveys made in this township under the old compass meth¬ 
od, should be corrected, and order and system brought out of the chaos 
which enveloped the titles of both public and private lands within this 
township, made it of the more importance that the questions involved 
should be settled at once. Surveys, of a partial and irregular na¬ 
ture, had repeatedly been made in this township by order of differ¬ 
ent Comptrollers and the local authorities, not only to locate the 
boundaries of the State lands, but to ascertain where the lines of 
the several lots, adjacent to the State lands, requiring to be accu- 
ately assessed, might be. 

It had been impossible for the officers of the Tax department to 
procure accurate descriptions of these lands; yet a decision or judg¬ 
ment of the courts directed that the taxes upon lands in this township 
should be in accordance with what was known in 1868, as the “New 
Survey.” The mention of a new survey in 1868, implied, of course, 
that there had been a previous subdivision of the township into lots. 
There was, evidently, a conflict between the old and the so-called 
new allotments. That such “old” and “new” allotments had in 
some manner or form been made, was evident from the references 
thereto in the office of the Comptroller; and it was also evident 
that in this conflict between the two systems of allotments, existed 
the difficulty of determining both the location of the State and of 
private lands, and the adjustment and collection of taxes throughout 



on State Land Survey. 


65 


tlie whole township. The fact that the estimated value of all the 
lands within this township has been placed at many millions of dol¬ 
lars ; the great deposits of magnetic iron owned by the Chateaugay 
Iron Ore Company, being entirely within its bounds, and that more 
than 10,000 acres of State lands are also located therein, together 
with the earnest desire of the Comptroller that I should cause a sur¬ 
vey to be made which would settle all the disputed questions, led 
me to believe that this w r as one of the most important surveys under 
the law of 1883, requiring my attention. 

In order to ascertain, authoritatively, what particular lots, pieces 
and parcels of land were held to be the property of the State, a let¬ 
ter was addressed to the Comptroller requesting a certified copy of 
the description of said lands from the deed of Rogers to the State, 
and the views of the Comptroller as to the lots owned by the State 
and the area claimed by the authorities. In response to this letter, 
the following communication was received from the Comotroller: 


State of New York, ) 

Comptroller’s Office, Albany, October 8, 1883. J 

Ykrplanck Colvin, Superintendent 

Neio York State Adirondack Survey , 

Albany , N. Y. 

Sir — Yours of the 24th ult. was duly received. Inclosed here¬ 
with please find marked “1” a copy of the description of lands con¬ 
veyed August 31, 1868, by Edmund Law Rogers and wife to the 
people of this State; marked “ 2,” a copy of the description of lands 
quit-claimed March 1, 1871, by said Rogers to said people; marked 
“ 3,” a copy of Comptroller W. F. Allen’s letter of October 7,1868, to 
H. D. L. Sweet, showing Mr. Allen’s opinion of the location, dimen¬ 
sions, etc., of the lands in Township 5, Old Military Tract, Clinton 
county, actually conveyed to the State by said deeds ; and marked 
“4,” a copy of a part of the “ Hannah Murray Map,” referred to in 
said deed marked “ 1.” 

Therefrom you will see that certain lands in said Township were 
conveyed to the State, irrespective of the acreage thereof, and that 
the Comptroller, under whose administration the purchase of said 
lands was completed, considered, in accordance with our own views 
that said deed marked “ 1 ” conveyed the S. E. corner of said 
Township, six-tenths the distance of said Township long N. & S., 
and one-third the distance thereof wide E. & W. 

But, if the lands thereby conveyed were surveyed and monu- 

[Assem, Doc. No. 126.] 9 


66 


Report of Yerplanck Colvin 


mented, as called for by the latter part of said deed marked u 1,” 
then, in such case, we deem it prudent that you should consult the 
Attorney-General as to whether or not the boundaries and limits of 
the lands so conveyed ar q finally and legally prescribed and defined 
by such survey and monuments. 

Respectfully yours, 

HENRY GAL LIEN, 

Deputy Comptroller. 

1. Description of land conveyed by Edmund Law Rogers and 
Charlotte M. L. Rogers, his wife, to the Peoj^le of the State of New 
York, August 31, 1868, recorded in Clinton County Clerk’s office 
September 3, 1S68, in Yol. 58 of deeds, page 49, etc. : 

“ All the following described parcels or tracts of lands, situate in 
Clinton county, New York, described as follows, to-wit: Commenc¬ 
ing in the south-east corner of Township No. 5, Old Military Tract, 
Clinton county, New York; thence northerly on east line of said 
Township No. 5, six miles; thence west three and one-third miles ; 
thence south or southerly, six miles to the south line of the Township 
No. 5 ; thence east on said south line three and one-third miles to place 
of beginning, excepting lots 127, 128, 173, 177, 180, 243, 246 and 
250, and one hundred and twenty-one and one hundred and twenty- 
two, it being understood that this conveyance is to include lots 123, 
124, 125, 126, 129, 130, 171, 172,174, 175, 176, 178, 179, 181, 182, 

183,184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 

237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 244, 245, 247, 248, 249, 291, 292, 293, 

294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300, as the same are laid dowrn on 

the Hannah Murray map, so-called, referred to in the parti¬ 
tion deed of the said Township between the said Hannah 
Murray and John L. Norton, and recorded in the clerk’s office 
of the county of Clinton in Liber H. of deeds, folio 158, etc., refer¬ 
ence being had thereto. 

“ And the said Edmund Law Rogers doth also sell the w T ood on the 
aforesaid two excepted lots numbered one hundred and twenty-one 
and one hundred and twenty-two in conformity to the agreement 
made between Smith M. Weed and John Hammond, bearing date 
the fourth day of January, in the year eighteen hundred and sixty- 
eight, reserving from every separate fifty acres of said two lots last- 
mentioned, fifteen acres, the location of which acres is first to be 
made by said Rogers upon reasonable request, two years being 
allowed by said agreement to remove the wood so as aforesaid sold. 


on State Land Survey. 


67 


And the said Rogers doth also sell, assign and transfer to the said 
party of the second part all the claim, right, title and interest of said 
Rogers in and to all wood, coal, timber, or logs cut upon or received 
from any of the said lots or tracts hereby conveyed, and all claims, 
right, title and interest in or to all waste, trespass or damage of any 
kind done thereon, and will and does release the State of New York, 
and each and every officer thereof, or of Clinton prison, from any 
and all such claims, excepting said Rogers does not assign or trans¬ 
fer any claims for trespasses during the past year done or committed 
on said lands by any person not working for the State, or where the 
wood, coal or timber was not purchased or received by the State or 
any of its officers. Together , with all and singular the heredita¬ 
ments and appurtenances thereunto belonging, or in anywise apper¬ 
taining, and the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders, 
rents, issues and profits thereof, and all the estate, right, title, inter¬ 
est, claim and demand whatsoever of the said party of the first part, 
either in law or equity, of, in and to the above granted premises, 
with the said hereditaments and appurtenances.” 

And it is hereby understood and agreed by and between the said 
Edmund Law Rogers and the said party of the second part that the 
whole outlines of the whole tract hereby granted, together with the 
outlines of the aforesaid two excepted lots numbered one hundred 
and twenty-one, and one hundred and twenty-two shall be surveyed, 
and the courses thereof established by durable stone land-marks or 
monuments within six months from the date hereof by a surveyor 
to be named by the State Engineer and Surveyor, the one-lialf of 
the expense of said survey and monuments to be borne by said 
Rogers and the other half by said party of the second part. 

2. Description of land conveyed by Edmund Law Rogers to the 
People of the State of New York, March 1, 1871, recorded in Clin¬ 
ton county clerk’s office, March 1, 1S71, in book No. 62 of deeds, 
page 593. 

“ All those two certain pieces or parcels of land situate and lying in 
said Clinton county, known and distinguished on the map of Town* 
ship number five, Old Military Tract, as recorded in the office of the 
clerk of said county with the Deed of Partition and Release 
between Hannah Murray and John L. Norton, and being the same 
lots as are on said map numbered one hundred and ninety and two 
hundred and thirty-one, and were conveyed to the party hereto of 
the first part by Rutger D. Miller, Jr., of the city of IJtica, in said 
State, on the 20th day of September, 1870, by deed now of record 
in the office of said clerk, in book of deeds No. 62, page 518.” 


68 


Repoet of Yerplanck Colvin 


3. Comptroller’s Office, ) 

October 7, 1868. j 

H. D. L. Sweet, Esq., care John Parkhurst, Esq., Dannemora. 

Dear Sir —Your favor was received. Your interpretation of 
the deed is right. Both lines are to be run on the same principle. 
The State is to have six-tenths of the lot north and south, and in 
the same proportion according to its length of line east and west. 
You will make the survey accordingly, and do not be disturbed by 
any thing that the other party may do or say. 

Respectfully your obedient, 

W. F. ALLEN, Comptroller. 

The survey of the township was not made by Mr. Sweet, the 
difficulties proving very great. A Mr. Featherstonhaugh continued 
the work, but his efforts were limited to the accurate retracing of 
the east line of the township. 

The views of Comptroller Allen, as expressed in his letter of 
October 7,1868, were based upon the assumption that the township, 
or “ lot,” as he terms it in his letter, was rectangular and of such 
dimensions that, if a section at the south-easterly corner, extending 
six-tenths of the distance along the east line, north from the south¬ 
east corner, with a breadth of three-tenths of the township were 
taken, it would include the lots mentioned in the deed and shown 
on the Hannah Murray map therein alluded to. 

These lands, therefore, certainly required to be surveyed and 
located, and preparations for the field work were immediately 
begun. 

The first step was to examine the history of the early surveys, so 
as to disentangle and separate the conflicting views as to the location 
of the boundaries. 

Immediate search was, therefore, made, through the State depart¬ 
ments, for all papers or maps bearing upon the location and sub¬ 
division of township 5. The survey of the Old Military Tract was 
made in 1787, under authority of the State, by Cornelius Tappen, 
R. Cochran and George Flemming. The east line of Township 
No. 5, being a portion of the outer limits of the patent, were lo¬ 
cated at this time by the compass line run by George Flemming. 
The original surveys of the townships were examined, and it was 
found that the earliest record was the map of the original survey 
made by R. Cochran in 1787, upon a scale of forty chains to the inch. 
No figures are given upon the margins of this map to show the dis- 


on State Land Survey. 


69 


tances actually chained; but a comparison with the scale proves it 
to have been considered as a rectangle, eight hundred chains on a 
side, and containing one hundred square miles, or sixty-four thou¬ 
sand acres. Cochran’s map is among the official records of the State, 
and is authentic and accepted as the first or original survey of the 
bounds of the township, and the allotment proposed. 

The subdivision or allotment of the township by Mr. Vaughn 
was made about thirty years after Cochran’s survey, and its allot¬ 
ment, as shown upon "V aughn’s map, forms wdiat is now known as 
the “ old survey.” This map bears an inscription addressed to the 
then clerk of supervisors of the countyof Clinton, which reads as 
follows : 

“ To K. K. Averill, Sr.: 

“ Sir — Agreeable to your request, in behalf of the supervisors of 
“ the county of Clinton, I send herewith a map of Township No. 
“ 5, Old Military Tract. The north half of this town was intended 
“ to be turned into lots to contain 320 acres each, and the south half 
“ into lots containing 140 acres each. But the proprietors, in order 
“ to make a division among themselves, made an arbitrary map of 
“3 lots a mile square, and divided the town accordingly, which 
“ map was sent to me, as their agent, to sell by. But finding that 
“ impossible I was directed to have the old corners established, and 
“an accurate measurement of all the lines of lots on the north half 
“ of the town made, which was done by Col. Vaughn in the sum- 
mer of 1824, and this map is a correct coppy of the original made 
(i by Vaughn, which I am now selling lands and conveying their 
“ lands by, and the same as the one that was furnished the office of 
“ the town with and on which they have made their assessments, 
“ and will so continue to do, for it is the only survey now made of 
<< said town. The south half of the town, I presume, is as incorrect 
u as the north part of survey. 

“LEWIS HANSOM, 

“ Agent for tlie proprietors 

This map bears the indorsement of Henry K. Averill, clerk of 
the board of supervisors February 21, 1827, and has been adopted 
in the Comptroller’s office as the only map of record of allotment 
by actual subdivision of what is called the “old Survey” of Town¬ 
ship No. 5. 

Examining this map, as to the width of the township east and 


70 


Report of Yerplanck Col yin 


west, I find that it shows twenty lots along the north line, the width 
of which are as follows, commencing at the eastward: 


Chains. 

Lot No. 1. 39.80 

Lot No. 2. 43.43 

Lot No. 3. 42.74 

Lot No. 4. 36.14 

Lot No. 5. 47.20 

Lot No. 6. 38.49 

LotNo. 7. 42.11 

Lot No. 8. 44.30 

LotNo. 9. 37.30 

Lot No. 10. 35.52 

Lot No. 11. 46.20 

Lot No. 12. 26.50 

Lot No. 13. 50.75 

Lot No. 14. 30.20 

Lot No. 15. 44.50 

Lot No. 16. 47.45 

Lot No. 17. 36.25 

Lot No. 18. 46.70 

Lot No. 19. 35.00 

Lot No. 20. 72.58 


Width north side of township. 843.16 


or ten and a half miles and 3.16 chains. 

This computation proved that even under the “ old survey ” allot¬ 
ment there could be no question that the township exceeded the width 
of ten miles (as claimed to have been located by Cochran;) by more 
than half a mile; and the cause of the difficulty experienced in locat¬ 
ing the lots owned by the State, in accordance with the so-called 
“ new survey,” was the fact that the dimensions and area of the 
“ new survey ” allotment differed, very materially, from the “ old 
survey,” as to the real dimensions of the township itself. 

The “ map referred to in partition deed of said township, between 
Hannah Murray and John L. Norton,” and recorded in clerk’s office 
of the county of Clinton, in volume H. of deeds, p. 158, (see deed of 
Rogers to the State,) I find to be the only record or representation, 
officially of record at the period, which in any manner represents the 
so-called “ new survey.” 

This important map has no record of any measurements upon it, 
























on State Land Survey. 


71 


and shows merely a theoretical re-allotment; which was here clearly 
intended to subdivide the entire township into 300 equal lots. 

Not one of these lots has its length or breadth given upon the map, 
and the map is without scale or indication of its proportion to nature. 

This is all there is of this so-called u new survey.” Yet it is by 
this “ Survey ” that the State holds its lands and collects assessments 
upon the adjacent property. 

It is essential, therefore, that we consider this apparently insigni¬ 
ficant bit of paper carefully. 

The first question is: what was the scale of this map ? 

By measurement the map is found to be about 14-^- inches wide and 
14^ inches long. Cochran’s survey of the township made it a square ; 
ten miles on each side. 

If the dimensions of the so-called “ new survey ” map are tried by 
an assumed scale of 60 chains to the inch, we find (14.4 x 60 = 864 
chains) the length and breadth of the township, nearly coincide with 
the allotment width by Vaughn’s subdivison in 1826; called the “ old 
survey.” 

Assuming this scale of 60 chains to the inch, the “ new survey ” 
map, gives for the wddth 

Of the township .... 864.00 chains. 

Vaughn’s old survey allotment gave . 843.16 chains. 

Difference .... 20.84 chains. 

It is singular that this difference agrees almost 'precisely with a 
narrow strip of lots about 20 chains wide shown on the map of the 
original survey of the Township by Cochran in 1796. 

On this map this strip of land 20 chains wide, extends along the 
entire westerly margin of the township from north to south. 

In 1874, an assessment survey was made by Mr. William E. 
Smith, and the results were shown upon a map filed in the office of 
the Comptroller, June 17th, 1874. This map gives the south half 
of Township No. 5, in accordance with the “ new survey ” allot¬ 
ment, as required by the order of the Court.* It shows each of the 


* The following is the order of the Supreme Court (commonly called the “ decree of 
the Court,”) which gives directions as to the manner in which assessments shall be levied 
in township No. 5. 


The People, Ex.Relat. JohnL. Norton, 
vs. 

The Assessors of the Town of Ellen- 
burgh, in the County of Clinton. 

Beardsley & Carey, att’y, on filing writ of alternative mandamus, and the return of the 
said assessors thereto, and on motion of Mr. Beardsley, of counsel forRelator, and, after 
hearing Mr. Reynolds of counsel, opposed, no sufficient cause for the contrary being shown. 












72 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


“ ;iew survey ” lots as having an area of 240 acres each, and by the 
scale of the map, and the acreage of the lots, it is evident that they 
were then considered to be each 30 chains east and west, and 80 
chains north and south ( 8 o . <* * 3 o , ch . = 240 acres). By the “ new sur¬ 
vey ” the township was divided into 30 lots east and west. Kow 30 lots, 
each 30 chains wide, would make the township 900 chains wide east 
and west, = llyVir miles. 

Still more recently, by order of the Comptroller, Mr. C. W. M. 
Johnson took up this greatly vexed question, of the location of the 
bounds of the State lands, in order to construct a map by which 
sales might be made to certain settlers or squatters upon these Prison 
Lands of Dannemora, under a Special law passed for that purpose. 

Mr. Johnson comes to still another conclusion; and on his map 
makes the so-called “ new survey ” lots to be 28.78 chains east and 
west, and 81.80 chains north and south, giving to each an area of 
235^- acres ( si.so xgs.is ). 

Using his value for the width of the u new survey” lots, the town¬ 
ship would be 870 T Yy chains, or 10 T 8 ^ miles wide, east and west. 

To recapitulate: Four independent surveys or estimates had been 
made of the width of the township. 

In 1796 Cochran’s measurement gave . . 10.00 miles. 

1826 Vaughn’s allotment . . . 10.53 “ 

1874 Smith’s assessment map . . . 10.25 “ 

Johnson’s land map . . . 10.88 “ 

The differences between these several surveys were so great as to 
be only explicable on the theory of general uncertainty as to the real 
boundaries of the township itself. 

Before, therefore, we could undertake to set apart and monument 
the lots belonging to the State, it was necessary to dissolve this un¬ 
certainty by rigorous measurements of the length and breadth of the 
township. This determined, the real dimensions and area of the 
State lots could be easily found. 

The survey of the township having been determined upon, the 
proper methods to be taken to secure the degree of precision needed 
had next to be considered. 


Ordered : That a peremptory mandamus issue to the assessors of the town of Ellen- 
burgh, in the county of Clinton, commanding them at the next assessment so to assess 
township number five, Old Military Tract, being in said town of Ellenburgh, so far as re¬ 
gards the lots of Relator, as that the assessment roll will correspond with and be in con¬ 
formity to the map of said township accompanying the deed of Partition of April 10th, 
1832, copies of which have been served upon said assessors, by numbering the lots assessed 
as numbered on said map, and in the manner particularly stated in the papers upon which 
the motion for an alternative mandamus was founded. 





REMNANT OF THE IROQUOIS OR SIX NATIONS, WHO OCCUPY WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE ST. REGIS RESERVATION. 



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on State Land Subvey. 


78 


The problem required that the length of each of the sides of the 
township should be ascertained w T ith exactness. 

The boundaries, chiefly in doubt, were the North, South and West 
lines of the township, the east line being known from measurements 
made in 1871, when that line was run with transit by Mr. Averill. 
The measured transit hue run in 1877 through township No. 4, 
about three-quarters of a mile south of the south bounds of Town¬ 
ship No. 5 could be used to find the deflections of the south boundary 
from a right line, and could be tied to the new measurements and 
monuments, to be set by the special transit lines, measured with steel 
ribbon. 

The organization and arrangement of the twelve special survey 
parties, which were to be placed immediately in the field, caused 
some little delay; and, as I was, moreover, unwilling to place all of 
the parties in the field until contracts had been made as to the rates 
of compensation to be paid to the engineers and subordinate em¬ 
ployees, a few daysw r ere passed in consultations. Written contracts 
having been made by the several surveyors selected to take charge 
of the field-work, the arrangement of the parties and assignment of 
men to duty was at once commenced. 

Mr. H. K. Averill, of Plattsburgh, was appointed to take charge 
of the work in the County of Clinton, and directed to make a recon¬ 
naissance of Towmship No. 5 with a view' to perfecting the plan of 
survey. He was instructed to make search for the anciently marked 
corners of the township, and to visit certain elevated points near the 
lines, and determine which of the signals, heretofore established by 
the Adirondack survey, were visible from these new hill stations, 
and could be used to connect the new work with the surveys of the 
interior. 

In accordance with these instructions, he proceeded with his sig_ 
nalman to reconnoitre the lines of the township, commencing on 
July 5th, and w T as so fortunate as to find each of the original corners 
of the Township. This preliminary work was completed on July 
11th. The interval between this date and the 30th was occupied by 
the erection of signals. 

The signal built near the south-east corner w r as called “ Pyon,” 
and was so named from being located on the Pyon patent. 

Caanan signal w^as constructed about four and a half miles north 
from the north-east corner of Township No. 5, and nearly on the 
east line of Township No. 6. 

The signal on Birch Hill near the Chateaugay Iron mines, and 
[Assem. Doc. No. 126.] 10 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


74 

that on Sanborn Hill near the lower Chateaugay Lake were designed 
to connect the south-western and north-western corners with the pri¬ 
mary triangulation at the Lyou Mountain station of 1878. 

On Wednesday, Aug. 1st, assistant Blake arrived from Albany 
to inspect the progress of the preliminary work, and returned imme¬ 
diately to report to the Superintendent. 

The measurement of the north bounds of the township was com¬ 
menced on August 3d from the north-east corner, along the said line 
westward. The true meridian was determined by astronomical obser¬ 
vations and the azimuth of the line as run by transit. This azimuth 
was tested by assistant Glover at different points along the line, with 
a portable transit with solar attachment. 

The north-east corner of the township is monumented by a mar¬ 
ble post, set about the year 1868 by direction of Mr. Rogers, the 
then owner. This post was found to have been deflected from the 
vertical by frost, and was again truly centered by Mr. Averill by 
reference to his station-marks of 1871, which were found intact. 
Mr. Averill reports of this monument that “ I found it standing in 
“ the roots of a beech tree, which had been the original 50-mile 
“tree marked by George Flemming in 1787.” 

From this post the north line of the township was traced by 
transit, all angles being carefully repeated and distances measured 
by steel tape, with spring balance level attached, the temperature 
being read off at everv station. 

The survey partly consisted of ten men in addition to the assist¬ 
ant in charge, Mr. H. K. Averill. One transit-man; one line- 
searcher, pioneer and head flagman ; four axemen; two chainmen; 
one rear flagman; one man acting as camp-keeper and cook. They 
encamped along the line, moving their tents and baggage forward 
as the measurements progressed. 

The marked trees of the “old survey” line were frequently met 
with and measured to, but nowhere was there any trace of the so- 
called “ new survey” referred to in the deed of Rogers to the State. 

The measurement of the width of the township along its north 
bounds was completed on the 20tli of August. The north-west cor¬ 
ner was found to be an old and decaying beech stub, which was dug 
up and replaced by a large block of native stone, duly marked as 
a monument. The drill hole in the top of this monument represents 
the centre of the Transit Station, being Station Ho. 133, and distant 
10-roV m il es from the opposite north-easterly corner of the township. 

This monument also marks the south-west corner of Township 


on State Land Survey. 


75 


No. 6, the south-east corner of Township No. 7, and the north-east 
corner of Township No. 8 of the Old Military Tract. 

It was temporarily marked as follows: 


North. 


. West face: 


T. 7 & 8 
V. C. 


South. 


East face: 


South. 


T. 5 & 6 

H. K. A. 


North. 


August 21st, the measurement of the west line was commenced 
southward from the stone monument set on the 20th. On the 22d, 
a beech stump was found bearing marks of the “ old survey.” 

On August 24th, the line was completed as far southward as San¬ 
born Hill, and connection made with the signal station at that point. 
On the 30th of August, a broad stream called “ the narrows,” be¬ 
tween the upper and lower Chateaugay lakes, was reached, and 
crossed by triangulation from a base line upon the shore, to the left 
of station No. 197; the triangle side No. 197 and No. 198, crossing 
the stream, being computed at 941-j- 9 ^- feet. 

On September 7th, the time of service of several of the aids ex¬ 
pired, and some delay was experienced before other men could be 
procured to fill their places. Skilled chainmen, accustomed to exact 
measurements with steel ribbon, carefully leveled and held to regu¬ 
lar tension, by spring balances, etc., are difficult to procure, and 
have, usually, to be trained specially for this service. New men 
were secured and trained to the work, but the measurements pro¬ 
ceeded slowly and required for a while the constant attention of the 
chief of the party. The “ old survey ” line was found to be curved 
and irregular, and a constant search had to be maintained for the 
old line trees. Ninety-seven years had now elapsed since the original 
survey under Cochran, and a great number of the marked trees 
had died and disappeared during the interval; those that remained 
had the marks so ingrown that only deep chopping would reveal 
them. 




76 


Report of Verplanok Colvin 


Progress in the identification of the line and measurements was 
consequently slow. 

On September 20th the party was visited in camp by the Super¬ 
intendent on his round of inspection of the work of the survey par¬ 
ties in each of the several counties. The south-west corner of the 
township was visited, and the inscriptions made upon the trees by 
the old surveyors examined. Trees marked by Vaughn at the time 
of his allotment in 1826 were sound and a proof-block cut from an 
original line tree of Cochran, counting by annual rings of growth, 
back to the year of his survey, was attested by the names of the 
party present, and transmitted to the Survey Office in the Capitol at 
Albany for record. 

Mr. Averill was directed to increase his force and continue the 
work, and for that purpose he returned to Plattsburgh on the 22d for 
men and provisions. 

On the 10th of October the south-west corner of Township 5 was 
reached by the transit traverse. The measurements, with steel rib¬ 
bon, of the western line of the township make it 10-^j- miles in 
length from the monument set at the north-west corner to that 
placed at the south-west corner. The location of the south-west 
corner is in the Cedar swamp on the west bank of the inlet of the 
Upper Chateaugay lake, and is sufficiently shown on the map of the 
township accompanying this report. It now only remained to obtain 
the length of the south line by connecting it with the transit line of 
1877. On account of rise of the waters in the Upper Chateaugay 
lake, which flooded the tree swamps on either side of the inlet to a 
width of a half mile or more, it was found impossible to extend the 
survey eastward along the south line of Township 5. The flooded 
forest, itself naturally a marsh, was impassable for chain (steel tape) 
measurements, and the dense, impenetrable mass of drowned timber 
absolutely prevented triangulation across it. The superintendent 
consequently issued orders for the temporary disbandment of the 
party. It was thought best to wait until the marsh had frozen over 
and had become accessible. 

On October 25tli the superintendent, then maintaining his head¬ 
quarters in his tent on Lyon Mountain, where he was busied with 
theodolite work connecting the new signals and transit line work 
with the Adirondack Survey triangulation of the interior wilderness, 
sent orders to assistant Averill to meet him for conference in his 
tent on the peak. The conference was held accordingly, and a plan 
perfected for the completion of the work. Snow now covered the 


on State Land Survey. 


77 


mountain peaks, and winter was closing rapidly in, but ice had not 
as yet made the inlet and flooded tree marsh at the head of Chateau- 
gay lake passable. The work upon the south line of Township No. 
5 was therefore resumed at the east end of the line near Pyon signal. 
A permanent stone monument of rough native rock was placed at 
the south-east corner of the township, appropriately marked, and 
the centre thereof indicated by a drill hole, made for the copper bolt 
to be hereafter set therein. From this monument the traverse line 
with transit, called the “ Pyon line,” was run and measured east¬ 
ward so as to connect with the transit line of 1S77. The location of 
the road to the Junction Kilns, near the west shore of Chazy lake, 
and the location of that lake, in connection with the roads, railroad 
and topography were secured while awaiting the freezing of the 
Cliateaugay inlet. Numerous monuments were set for reference 
points near where it was now thought that the corner of the State 
lands would come; one, on the south line of the township, of 
granite, estimated to weigh 1,500 pounds, and another smaller 
monument, further along the line, as a reference point. The 
remainder of the work proved very complicated, especially at the 
south-west corner of the township where what is known as Kellogg’s 
Gore; a strip of lots on the west side of Township 4, located by 
Silas D. Kellogg in 1822, was found, and the north-west corner of 
Township No. 4 was demonstrated not to be identical with the south¬ 
west corner of Township No. 5, thus proving the existence of two 
separate corners on the south bounds of Township No. 5, viz.: 
Vaughn’s corner of 1826, at station No. 302 of our transit line, being 
the south-west corner of Township No. 5, and another corner a mile 
to the eastward, along the said south line of Township No. 5, 
which was the north-west corner of Township No. 4, and 
the north-east corner of lot No. 18 of Kellogg’s Gore. The hemlock 
tree marked for this latter corner by Kellogg, in 1822, was here 
found in good condition. 

By December 11th the cold had become intense, and ice began to 
form rapidly on Chateaugay lake. The marsh at the head of the 
lake was now accessible, the ice being safe to men keeping suffi¬ 
ciently apart. The measurements were, therefore, resumed and 
successfully completed; and by means of a sled, drawn by long 
ropes, the stone designed to mark the south-west corner of Town¬ 
ship 5 was brought to the station, and placed as permanently as the 

softness of the ground permitted. 

A large stone was also set at the north-west comer of Township 


78 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


No. 4, and a large cedar post at the comer of lots 18 and 19 of the 
Gore. 

This completed the field work. Assistant Averill returned to 
Plattsburgh on December 14th, and commenced the platting of the 
lengths of his base-lines, and the drafting of the topography upon 
the map of the township, which was completed on the 19th of Jan¬ 
uary, 1884, and is herewith transmitted. 


u 


u 


u 


Conclusions. 

After a careful consideration of the results of the field work in 
this section 1 reach the following conclusions: 

(1.) That the “ new survey,” referred to in the deed of Rogers 
to the State, does not exist, and never has existed, as an actual al¬ 
lotment or survey of Township No. 5, in the Old Military Tract. 

(2.) That the real dimensions of said Township No. 5 are as 
follows: 

North line, .... 10.75 miles. 

West line, ..... 10.42 

South line, . . . . 11.31 

East line, ..... 10.23 

(3.) That the real area of Township No. 5 is, in round numbers, 
allowing for the curves beyond the right lines given above, HSj 8 ^ 
square miles, or 72,886 acres. 

(4.) That the allotment shown on the map of Vaughn in 1826, 
and known as the old survey, was actually made, and the lines run 
by magnetic compass and marked upon the trees. 

(5.) That the country being, in numerous places, underlaid by 
magnetic iron, the compass needle was frequentlv deflected in an 
extraordinary manner, and the irregularities of the so-called “ old 
survey,” by Vaughn, were the result, to a great extent, of local at¬ 
traction of the needle. 

(6.) That the “ old survey” allotments, as shown by Vaughn’s 
map, are the only allotments in use by land owners and the proprie¬ 
tors of the great iron mines within the township. 

(7.) That the re-subdivision of the entire township into lots, in 
accordance with the Hannah Murray map, into three hundred equal 
parts, would be mathematically impossible, and if attempted would 
be enormously expensive, entailing — if run by transit — the loca¬ 
tion of 40 transit lines, each averaging 10^ miles in length, and 
could not be done accurately at an expense of less than $20,000 to 
$30,000, and might cost $50,000; without any adequate reason 


on State Land Survey. 


79 


therefor, beyond the order of the court requiring assessments to be 
levied in accordance with the Murray map, or so-called “ new survey.” 

(8.) That it is practically impossible to divide this township into 
three hundred equal lots, on account of the irregularities in its 
boundaries, and that it is unnecessary, if possible, as there is an ex¬ 
isting allotment. 

(10.) That, finally, the entire question of the area and location of 
the lands owned by the State narrows down to two propositions 
only: 

First Proposition. 

The intention of the Hannah Murray map, (or so-called “new 
survey,”) w r as to divide the assumed mile squares in the south half 
of Township Ho. 5 into lots containing equal thirds of Yaughn’s 
“old survey” allotment. 

Under this interpretation the State would be entitled to three and 
one-third (3^) of the old survey lots east and west, and six (6) lots 
of the old survey north and south. This would give the State an 
area largely in excess of the 10,000 acres hitherto held to be the area 
of this block of the State lands. 

Second Proposition. 

Another hypothesis is that adopted by Comptroller Allen, as 
shown in his letter of October 7, 1868, and as explained by the com¬ 
munication from the late Deputy Comptroller, under date of October 
8th, 1883. This proposition is that the State is entitled to a tract in 
the south-east corner of Township Ho. 5, six-tenths ( T ^) of the 
length of the township north and south, and three and one-third 
tenths ( yq - q ) of the township east and west. The objection to this 
theory is that the State purchased certain lots only ; that these lots 
were intended to be thirds of the old survey approximate mile 
squares, and that the lines, if now run under this second proposition, 
would cut across the lines of the “ old survey ” lots, disturbing 
ownerships and arousing interminable disputes and litigation. 

FIHDIHGS. 

Adopting the first proposition as the most equitable, and as the 
most economical one for surveying, I find the following to be the 
location of the several lots owned by the State in Township Ho. 5 : 

Description 

Of lots owned by the State of Hew York in Township Ho. 5 of 


80 


Report of Verplanck Col yin 


the Old Military Tract, as conveyed to the State by Edmund Law 
Rogers in deed bearing date August 31, 1868, viz.: 

Lot 130 (of the Murray map) is the east two-thirds of lot 87 of 
Vaughn’s allotment. 

Lot 129 (of the Murray map) is the west two-thirds of lot 86 of 
Vaughn’s allotment. 

Lot 126 (of the Murray map) is the west two-thirds of lot 84 of 
Vaughn’s allotment. 

Lot 125 (of the Murray map) is the east one-third of lot 84 and 
the west one-third of lot 83 of Vaughn’s allotment. 

Lot 124 (of the Murray map) is the east two-thirds of lot 83 of 
Vaughn’s allotment. 

Lot 123 (of the Murray map) is the east two-thirds of lot 82 of 
Vaughn’s allotment. 

Lot 171 (of the Murray map) is the east one-third of lot 107 of 
Vaughn’s allotment; and the west bounds of lots 190, 231, 250 and 291 
of the Hannah Murray map, are the west bounds of the east one-thirds 
of lots 114, 127,134 and 147 of Vaughn’s allotment, and similarly lots 
Nos. 172, 174, 175, 176, 178, 179, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186,187, 
188, 189, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 249, 248, 247, 
245, 244, 242, 241, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299 and 300, 
of the Hannah Murray map, are respectively one-thirds of lots 
108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 128, 129, 130, 133, 131, 132, 148, 149 
and 150 of Vaughn’s allotment, as originally surveyed and marked, 
however great the excess in the said lots may be above the original 
estimated area. 

The limited time and means have rendered it impossible to go into 
this matter in the report with greater minuteness. If required for the 
use of the Comptroller, the Tax Department or the Land Office, a spe¬ 
cial description of each of these several lots can be given. The above 
statement will, however, probably answer every practical purpose. 


on State Land Survey. 


81 


SECTION III. 

LEWIS AND HERKIMER COUNTIES. 


Boundary Lines. 


The State lands in the counties of Lewis and Herkimer are in 
small parcels, widely separated. The location of these lands by 
survey, so as to show them accurately upon the maps, required the 
establishment of certain primary lines of the patents and counties 
in which they were situated. Our office experience in regard to 
these counties and lands had been that there were no starting points 
of the ancient survey work, available, which could be accurately laid 
down upon paper and used as a basis on which to construct the land- 
maps. 

The destruction of the records of the county of Herkimer by fire 
many years since, swept away nearly all the data relating to the sub¬ 
divisions of the early surveys and land patents in this part of the 
State. 

While these early surveys were, undoubtedly, far from being exact 
in their measurements, yet the lines located by them are the only 
marked boundaries and subdivisions of property — whether cleared 
or forest land — and under the decisions of the courts must be 
accepted as the legal boundaries and limits of either State or private 
property. 

The directions of some of these boundaries are prescribed by 
certain statutes which, not having been drawn with a sufficient 
understanding of the proper technical phraseology, are scientifically 
indefinite, and only to be interpreted by a study of the condition of 
engineering and surveying in this State at the time of the passage 
of the laws in question. 

Upon the interpretation of the laws governing the location and 
direction of the boundaries of the counties of Lewis and Herkimer, 
[Assem. Doc. No. 126.] 11 




82 


Report of Verplanck Colyin 


depends the meaning of the word “ north,” as used in the statutes ; 
and upon this, in turn, depends not only the direction of the bound¬ 
aries of the adjacent county of Hamilton ; and the north and south 
lines of the large towns therein; but the acreage of the triangles 
which those town lines cut off from the old townships. The direc¬ 
tions of the lines making given angles with the “ north point ” are 
similarly governed by the absolute direction of the point itself, and 
upon this hinges the whole question of the location of boundaries 
and the accurate mapping of the lands within these counties. 

1 have heretofore, in a former report, discussed this subject at 
some length, but a proper understanding of the work done in this 
section and the need of it, requires a brief statement of the question 
before an account is given of the measurements and results. 

More than eighty years ago the Legislature placed in the statutes 
verbal descriptions of the boundaries of the several counties of the 
State. I extract from the Revised Statutes the description of the 
boundaries of the county of 

LEWIS. 

“ The county of Lewis shall contain all that part of this State 
bounded as follows: Beginning at the south-east corner of the county 
of Jefferson, and running thence southerly along the easterly bounds 
of the townships numbers seven and twelve in Constable’s patent to 
the north bounds of Scriba’s patent; then along the same easterly 
to the north-east corner thereof; then north sixty-tw T o degrees east 
along the southerly line of Macomb’s purchase to the line of the 
county of Herkimer; then north along the west bounds of the county 
of Herkimer to the bounds of the county of St. Lawrence / then 
along the south-westerly bounds of the said county to the line of the 
county of Jefferson; and then along the easterly bounds of the said 
county to the place of beginning.” 

I have italicised some of the words so that it may be observed that 
the east line of the county of Lewis must, by the law, conform to 
and be identical with the west line of the county of Herkimer. 

The statute gives the boundaries of the latter county as follows : 

HERKIMER. 

“ The county of Herkimer shall contain all that part of this State 
bounded northerly by the county of St. Lawrence; easterly by the 
counties of Hamilton and Montgomery; southerly by the county of 
Otsego ; westerly by a line beginning at the south-west corner of a 


I 


on State Lane Survey. 83 

tract called Cochran’s patent, and running thence northerly and 
easterly along the bounds thereof to a line beginning in the south 
bounds of the tract granted to William Bayard and others, called 
the Free Mason’s patent, where the same is intersected by a line run 
south from the former fording place in the Mohawk river, at old 
Fort Schuyler, now called Utica; and running thence north along 
said line to the southerly line of Cosby’s manor ; then north-easterly 
in a direct line to the northerly bounds of said manor, at a point 
where the same is intersected by the division line between Gage’s 
and Walton’s patents; then northerly on the line between the said 
patents to the West Canada creek; then up the said creek to the 
north-east corner of Service’s patent; and then north to the county 
of St. Lawrence.” 

We have to deal particularly with the last three lines in the above 
description, viz.: 

* * “ Then up the said creek to the north-east corner of Service’s 

“ patent; and then north to the county of St. Lawrence.” 

This appears to be a simple and clear statement. It would seem 
at first reading that nothing would be more easy than to comply 
with the strict letter of this law. Yet, as a matter of fact, the 
description is imperfect, obscure and liable to mislead many of those 
consulting it. 

The obscure and difficult points are: 

(1.) It does not specify where the north-east corner of Service’s 
patent is, and there are no records in any of the State departments 
which describe the manner in which this corner is marked. 

(2.) If the magnetic meridian were intended, the declination of 
the needle at the time and in that locality should have been given 
in order to furnish a basis for computation and survey. 

The law relative to the bearings and courses mentioned in the 
description of the boundaries of counties and towns is as follows 
(Revised Statutes chap. 2, part 1): 

“ § 3. All lines, which in the foregoing bounds are described by 
“ courses indicated by the magnetic needle, are respectively to be 
“ taken as the magnetic needle pointed at the several times when 
“ such lines were originally established.” 

It is very unfortunate that the statutes of the State were ever 
made a vehicle to carry down to posterity a mandatory rule requir¬ 
ing the uncertain and variable magnetic needle to be the standard 
of reference for all of the most important boundaries of the civil 
subdivisions of the State. 


I 


84 Repoet of Yerplanck Colvin 

Throughout the entire mountainous section of northern New York 
there is hardly a place where the declination of the needle will not 
differ from its declination on the next adjacent tract. 

This local attraction is not usually occasioned by visible magnetic 
iron ore, nor by magnetic storms. It belongs to each locality ; form¬ 
ing, apparently at each station occupied, a local magnetic deflection, 
more or less constantly attendant upon the needle in its various hourly, 
daily and yearly movements. 

It has, therefore, to be borne in mind that, upon a compass line in 
this region, every station has its local attraction, from a minute 
quantity almost imperceptible to a deflection amounting to one or 
more degrees between back and fore sights upon a right line. 

The first and great difficulty in running any long line by the 
needle has been, and always must be, the fact that the needle does 
not point alike along a line; in other words, a magnetic meridian is 
not a uniform mathematical line, but is a tracing upon the surface 
of the earth of the natural, but somewhat irregular, locations of equal 
amounts of magnetic force. 

Another vital objection to the magnetic needle is what may be 
termed its “ reading error.” The same bearing cannot be read twice 
'precisely alike by needle, and no two needles will give precisely the 
same bearing for the same line. 

These are some of the reasons which make the statute before al¬ 
luded to absurd. If the statute (§ 3) had been merely an explana¬ 
tory clause it would have done no harm. It is its mandatory char¬ 
acter which has created the difficulty, in requiring the modern and 
exact methods of measurement to be made on such lines conform¬ 
able to the ancient and erroneous system. 

The special law under which the present survey was being made 
requires maps of these counties, showing the location of the lands 
with more accuracy than heretofore. It became my duty to follow 
the intention of the law in its spirit; and, as nearly as possible, to its 
exact letter. 

In view of the apparent impossibility of reconciling systems so 
much at variance (within moderate limits) it will be proper to give 
a somewhat detailed account of the methods adopted in effecting 
this result. 

Special laws and resolutions have been passed by the Legislature 
at various times looking to the survey and location of the west line 
of the county of Herkimer. 

In 1852 the Commissioners of the Land Office were directed to 
cause this boundary line to be surveyed. 


on State Land Survey. 


85 


No work was done by the Commissioners of the Land Office under 
the law of 1852. It is probable that the lack of a positive knowl¬ 
edge of where the north-east corner of Service’s patent was, and the 
engineering difficulties, discouraged the board from undertaking the 
work. 

In 1876,1 discovered that there was no real boundary line between 
the counties of Hamilton and Herkimer for a distance of upwards of 
forty miles. This discovery led me to make search as to the location 
ot the Herkimer and Lewis county line, and of that line also no 
trace was to be found. The compass surveyors, woodsmen and lum 
bermen nearly all agreed that no line of any kind had ever been run 
between the counties of Lewis and Herkimer. 

In 1881 I was directed by a joint resolution of the Senate and 
Assembly to locate this line. A topographical reconnaissance, and 
an examination of the adjacent boundaries of the Brantingham 
tract was made, and of John Brown’s, and the Adgate and Moose 
river tracts, for the purpose of ascertaining what precise geodesic 
value should be given to the word “ north ”—“ as the magnetic needle 
“ pointed at the several times when such lines were originally estab- 
“ lished; ” such being the requirement of the law. 

As the result of these investigations I found that an attempt had 
been made to run this line by compass at the beginning of the pres¬ 
ent century; and near the banks of Moose river I found some 
marked trees which indicated that a compass line (counting back the 
number of rings of annual woody growth) had been run for the east 
bounds of the County of Oneida eighty-nine years previously. 

Search was made in the County Clerk’s Office of the County of 
Oneida, but it failed to reveal any documents authenticating this 
east line of that county, or indicating that the line of marked trees 
found south of Moose river had any legal status, or that it was in¬ 
deed a county line. 

It must be borne in mind that the east boundary of this part of 
the County of Oneida is by law based upon the disputed boundary 
of Herkimer county, and intended to be identical with it. If, 
therefore, the few marked trees found at the north end of what 
appeared to be the Oneida county line, could be proved to have been 
located under proper authority of law, then the average astronomical 
bearing of such trees would be the true azimuth on which the 
boundary between Herkimer and Oneida counties should be run. 

In 1881, therefore, I made careful search for authentic docu¬ 
mentary evidence in regard to this Oneida county line, but no good 


86 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


evidence was obtained that the few marked trees (found south of 
the Brown Tract) actually belonged to a line running “ north ” from 
the “ most north-easterly corner of Service’s patent,” as required by 
the Statute. Thus the investigation was brought back to the uncer¬ 
tain starting point, the ill-defined north-east corner of the old patent, 
of which no record could be found. 

Satisfied that some of the lines of the Service patent could not fail 
to be found, 1 made search during July, 1881, for such lines, exam¬ 
ining deeds of owners of property ; and, upon the testimony of the 
inhabitants, and in accordance with the views of all experts in regard 
to boundaries in this part of the County of Oneida, I traced what 
was claimed to be the north line of Service’s patent eastward to the 
West Canada creek at a point near where Black creek enters the larger 
stream. Black creek has its sources in the Jerseyfield patent far to 
the eastward, and near its mouth tradition has located the initial 
point of the county line, and the much sought north-east corner of 
Service’s patent. 

That the line, which was locally known as the north boundary 
of Service’s patent, should, when traced, come to this point was con¬ 
firmatory of the tradition. I had no doubt that this was the true 
north line of the patent; as the deeds of adjacent property so de¬ 
scribed the lots as to furnish in my judgment sufficient identifica¬ 
tion ; the difficulty was that the shores of the West Canada creek at 
this point, opposite the mouth of Black creek, are low and flat, and 
have always been submerged by floods during periods of high water. 
The line was found to disappear on a broad promontory of gravel and 
sand ; the projecting portion of this promontory had long been swept 
clear of the original timber; while all traces of the line ceased a quar¬ 
ter of a mile to the eastward. 

The problem was: where was the north-east corner ? What was 
this corner and in what manner had it been marked ? 

Tradition would not answer here. It was essential that the cor¬ 
ner should be found in order to start the survey from it. 

Not satisfied with the indefinite termination of this north line of 
Service’s patent, I directed resurveys to be made of such of the lines 
of the adjacent patents as were shown by the official assessment map 
of the State, (Burr’s Atlas,) to converge toward this corner. The 
south-east corner of the DeWitt Tract,* in Oneida county, appears on 
this map to corner with the Service’s patent at a point where the 
west line of the Matchin Tract descends to the West Canada creek. 


* Part of the old Remsenburgh patent of 1787. 





on State Land Survey. 


87 


The west line of the Matehin Tract was therefore searched out and 
traced southward to its intersection with the north line of Service’s 
patent. This point of intersection was on the sandy alluvial 
promontory in the bend of the West Canada creek opposite the 
mouth of the Black creek. Every indication pointed to this intersection 
as having been the north-east corner of Service’s patent, but there 
was no corner, no stake, or stone, or stump, or tree, nothing but the 
lowland meadow of short wild grass, surrounded by clumps of thorn 
bushes (Crataegus Crus-galli , Linn.), and elders (Sambucus Cana¬ 
densis, Linn.). This was in July, 1881. Long search, at that time, 
failed to reveal any other corner, and here, by my direction, a mas¬ 
sive monument of native granite, weighing in the neighborhood of 
a ton, was located, and the point of intersection of the lines marked 
by a drill-hole in the rock. Here the work on the Service patent 
lines ceased for 1881, and, other surveys requiring attention, was not 
resumed until 1883, when the passage of the law requiring me to 
make surveys showing the location of the State lands in all of the 
northern counties, made it necessary again to take up work in this 
section. 

The survey of the boundary line between the counties of Lewis 
and Herkimer, I had found in 1881 to be so expensive a work, if 
done in the best and most substantial manner; (the only manner in 
wdiich such lines should ever be run) that I had reluctantly, on the 
completion of the reconnaissance, deferred the work to await further 
action by the Legislature. 

The passage of the present law, and the urgent desire of the 
Comptroller that the west boundary line in the county of Herkimer 
should be located, againdrew my attention to the question. After 
deliberation, I came to the following decision. To map the lands, 
towns and townships in the western counties, mentioned in the law 
of 1883, a knowledge of the direction or true bearing and location 
of the west line of the county of Herkimer was necessary. This 
being decided upon, the character and extent of survey work 
required had next to be determined. 

The substance of the statutes affecting this question may be re¬ 
duced to three points: 

(1.) That the west line of the County of Herkimer is identical with 
the east lines of the Counties of Oneida and Lewis. (Compare bounda¬ 
ries of Herkimer, Lewis and Oneida counties as given in the Revised 
Statutes.) 

(2.) That the initial point of the said line is the north-east corner 
of Service’s patent. (3 R. S. 3d ed.) 


88 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


(3.) That the direction of said line must be the direction in which 
the north end of the magnetic needle pointed, at the initial point 
referred to or such section thereof as may have been run by needle 
in the year of the passage of the law.* 

After carefully considering all the facts ; the topography of the 
country, the lack of sufficient records relating to Service’s patent ; 
the absence of any old corner; and the absence of any con' 
tinuous line between Oneida and Herkimer counties (not¬ 
withstanding the existence of marked trees south of Moose river,) I 
resolved to review the whole question by a personal examination of 
the ground, topography, and patent lines, in the hope of being able 
to find a sufficient section of the east line of the County of Oneida 
to enable me to get the azimuth (or true bearing from the astronomi¬ 
cal meridian) of some line of old compass trees at the locality, so as 
to ascertain what was the true direction of “ north, as the magnetic 
needle pointed,” within the meaning of the statute. 

Having settled upon the work to be done 1 directed assistant 
S. II. Snell, then (July 10th, 1883) engaged with Mr. Koetteritz in 
tracing and locating the north bounds of the Jersevfield patent, to 
leave that party on completion of line to Jerseyfield lake, and re¬ 
turn to Forestport, Oneida county ; there to assemble a sufficient 
survey party for the execution of the measurements. 

Forestport was made the base of operations on account of its be¬ 
ing situated nearly midway opposite the Oneida-Herkimer section 
of the long line, of which our survey work of 1881 taught us some 
traces might be found to the eastward, and which, if it could be 
proved and identified, would afford the range and direction of the 
boundary to be run between the counties of Lewis and Her¬ 
kimer. 

From Forestport good roads radiate southward into Service’s 
patent, eastward toward the disputed county line, and northward 
toward the Lewis county corner. Telegraphic and frequent postal 
communication was also to be had from this place, so that I could 
communicate with the several survey parties more readily than at a 
station back in the wilderness, and receive and answer dispatches 
from the Capitol immediately. 

Arrangements were made for encamping the survey party as near 
where the line was supposed to be, as practicable, and the search for 


* The month, day and hour should have been given, if any scientific value was 
to be attached to the magnetic meridian. 







New York State Land Survey. 

VERPLANCK COLVIN, 


PLATE No 7. Superintendent. REPORT 1884. 



Moss F.no. Co., N.Y. \Tbbi>, Parsons & Co , Printers, Albany, N.Y. 


SIGNAL Mt. AZURE. 


STATION ON THE LOWER St REGIS. SOLAR-TRANSIT MOUNTED 

ON HIGH-TRIPOD. 
















































I 




■ 

I 




on State Land Survey. 


89 


documents and records relating to the patents and lines with which 
we had now to deal, was resumed. 

An indefinite tradition existed that this Oneida county line had 
been run in 1802, but by whom or in what manner no one was able 
to say positively. 

The time was limited. August was approaching; many other 
surveys required attention, and, in October, snow would commence 
to descend and retard work and so blind the surfaces of marked 
trees as to practically close the season. 

Consequently, this party was ordered to assemble immediately; 
and, on July 14th, I proceeded from Albany to Forestport, where 
Mr. Snell and his transitman, Mr. C. R. Hawkins, with the topogra¬ 
pher, chainmen and axemen, met me in accordance with instruc¬ 
tions. 

I had already this season (June 26th) reconnoitered the region 
through which the work of this survey party was to extend, from an 
elevated point in the south part of the town of Remsen, Oneida 
county, which 1 named, after the owner of the land, Pritchard 

Hill. 

Pritchard Hill is the crest of a semi-wooded range of hills resem¬ 
bling the sand dunes of the sea coast, except that boulders on the 
skirts of the hills, in places, associate the formation with the drift 
period. Although the hill is less than five hundred feet above the 
Black river level at Forestport feeder, it commands a very extended 
view over the forest northward. 

From its summit the vast, almost prairie-like forest of the western 
border of the great wilderness extends, until, at the horizon, forest, 
cloud and sky melt into hazy uncertainty. A few ridges or eleva¬ 
tions roll across this immensity of forest, but only serve as shadows, 
without locality or name, in this vast landscape. Far to the east¬ 
ward wooded hills, nameless and unknown, are distinguishable — 
the outlying spurs of other mountains that form the western mem¬ 
bers of the Adirondack system. 

The view from this summit showed how difficult was the work 
before us. It was impossible to reach the corners of any of the im¬ 
portant lines directly by triangulation, and I saw at a glance that 
long and toilsome transit lines would have to be run through the 
forest to connect the initial points of the great land patents and 
boundaries. Northward, however, toward Boonville and the Moose 
river region, the land grows higher, gradually sloping upward from 
forest covered plains of 1,100 or 1,200 feet to crests exceeding 2,000 
[Assem. Doc. No. 126.] 12 


90 


Beport of Verplanck Colvin 


feet in height above the sea. Studying these ranges with my tel¬ 
escope, I was at length gratified to find my old station, Goinmer 
Hill, in Lewis county, and further to the left, “ Pen Mount/’ a sig¬ 
nal station of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, occu¬ 
pied by them while engaged in their transcontinental triangulation, 
which spreads its network across the Mohawk valley from brink to 
brink of that great basin, and reaches thence through the heart of 
the State to Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, and the State of Ohio. Pen 
Mount was one of these stations, a broad, flattened hill, cultivated 
to the very top, with a farm-house on the summit accessible by car¬ 
riage road. The summit of Pen Mount is 700 feet above the Black 
river canal feeder at Boonville ; which, by the canal levels, is 1,124 
feet above tide. The levels cf the Adirondack Survey have not as 
yet bee.n extended as far to the south-west as Boonville, the nearest 
line being that which extends from Lake Champlain across the wil¬ 
derness, to Lowville, in Lewis county. 

These are the most considerable elevations upon this side of the 
wilderness ; and when the fact is considered that the general altitude 
of the lowlands in this vicinity is rarely less than 1,000 or 1,200 
feet, and that all the slight ridges to the eastward are forest covered, 
the great obstacles thus offered to triangulation may be appreciated. 

It was important to know every feature of the ground ; and, ac¬ 
companied by the survey party, I ascended Pen Mount and made a 
reconnaissance with a six-inch theodolite transit. 

From the Coast Survey station on Pen Mount (although the atmos¬ 
phere was quite hazy) I again saw the low dark ridge which, from 
Pritchard Hill, I had noticed to the north-eastward, near the sup¬ 
posed location of the Oneida county line. This ridge was evidently 
quite low, only one or two hundred feet above the surrounding for¬ 
est, and difficult to locate. Hear it, however, was a small patch of 
light green, an oasis in the dark forest. This, we learned, was a 
clearing made by one Myers, near whose place the bark-peelers in 
the employ of the tanners, were busily employed cutting and peeling 
hemlock trees and stacking the bark. I was now informed by Mr. 
Snell that it was near this place, during his search for the Oneida 
county line, in accordance with my directions in 1881, marked trees 
had been found which were called the “ county line.” 

On Monday, July 16th, therefore, I proceeded with the party to 
the Myers’ clearing, which was found to be seven miles north-east¬ 
ward from Forestport. The clearing by barometer was found to be 
330 feet above Forestport. To the northward the wooded ridge 


on State Land Survey. 


01 


stretched nearly east and west less than half a mile distant. Ascend¬ 
ing this ridge I found the timber comparatively open, the hemlock 
and spruce having been cut away by lumbermen and bark peelers. 
The top of the ridge was soon reached and was found to have a 
height of 170 feet above Myers’ clearing. 

Search was immediately made for the highest point of the ridge, 
and a knoll was found a little way to the eastward on the ridge 
where the rock was exposed — a compact granular gneiss — which 
would afford a firm foundation for a signal station. From an open¬ 
ing in the timber to the westward, a view was obtained which 
proved that this ridge commanded all the lowlands to the south- 
westward as far as Pritchard Hill and Pen Mount, and consequently 
the forest through which the long boundary line must be run. South¬ 
ward, in the horizon, some ranges of low, very distant hills were 
barely discernible in the haze; northward the view was obscured 
by forest. In order to plat the position of the hill'so as to ascertain 
its value as a station in my plan of work, I set up the solar transit 
and observed the sun for azimuth and obtained the true bearing of 
Pen Mount. 

Meanwhile Mr. Snell and party had been busily searching the 
forest for old line marks, but found almost all the older soft wood 
trees cut. I went with him about a quarter of a mile eastward to 
a point where he felt sure that in 1S81 he had found marked trees 
of the east line of Oneida county, but a forest fire had since then 
visited this section, and all marks that could be positively identified 
were gone. A few’ weather-beaten stumps and stubs only raised 
themselves above a dense growth of briers and raspberry bushes. 
On some of these stumps were scars in the wood that were evidently 
(from the peculiar form of the mark and contortion of the weathered 
fibres of the wood) very old axe marks. There were no trees remain¬ 
ing by which to find the direction in which these marks ran. 
Hunters, trappers and lumbermen had blazed trees at various times 
for trails and roads, and it was impossible to prove that any of the 
marked trees found were the proper, legal marks of the boundary 
between the Counties of Oneida and Herkimer. 

Hoping that north or south of this station some line trees might 
be identified, I placed the party in camp, giving instructions to the 
line experts to search the whole forest for lines, and to ascertain 
whether any could be found which might be proved to be located 
in accordance with the statute. Arrangements were also made with 
Mr. Myers by which T obtained the right to occupy the summit of 


92 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


the hill as a signal station, and to cut the timber on the crest obscur¬ 
ing the view. I ordered a signal of the secondary class constructed 
on the summit, and named the station Myers’ Hill. 

Leaving the party under Mr. Snell to search for the line and con¬ 
struct the signal, I proceeded on July 17th to Gommer Hill, in 
Lewis county, to ascertain what other station would be needed in 
order to connect the signal on Myers’ Hill with my previous triangu¬ 
lation stations in the interior. Gommer Hill was the station referred 
to in the report on the Adirondack Survey for 1882 as the terminus 
of the lines of triangulation which I had measured across the wilder¬ 
ness from Lake Champlain. The hill is the highest of the southern 
elevations of the escarpment of that semi-plateau known in Lewis 
County as the Tug Hill range. It is located seven miles north-west 
from Lyons Falls on the Black river and, by aneroid, 2,109 feet 
above tide. From this summit the low, almost imperceptible ridge 
of Myers’ Hill, was difficult to distinguish ; but 1 was able to select 
stations to the southward and eastward with which it could be con¬ 
nected by triangulation. This was very important as the county 
line must certainly pass somewhere near it, and could thus be located 
and mapped in proper relationship to the other boundaries. 

Satisfied in regard to this matter, I returned, on the 19th inst., to 
Myers Hill, and found that the axemen had cleared out the sight 
lines and that a good view could now be had north and south from 
this ridge. The direction of the true meridian was determined, and 
the azimuth of Pen Mount again observed. The declination of the 
magnetic needle was found to be 8° 09'. 6 West of true North. There 
was indication of some local attraction of the needle. The rock in 
some places, near the signal station, appeared to show thin veins of 
magnetite; but, when broken, the appearance was found to be only 
superficial. 

This day was unusually clear, and, on searching the horizon to the 
southward, I was delighted to find a long ridge of cleared land show¬ 
ing sharply against the horizon, apparently just south of the mouth 
of Black creek and the county corner. 

This was a great discovery. I saw at a glance that I now had 
command of the situation. Hitherto the haziness and smokiness of 
the atmosphere had altogether cut off from view the important fact 
that there was a cleared ridge to the southward of the mouth of 
Black creek, which would command nearly the entire length of the 
Oneida-Herkimer line. 

The discovery gave me a new and more rapid method of obtain- 


on State Land Sukvey. 


93 


ing the direction of the Oneida-Herkimer line — as soon as the line 
could be identified — by producing the line to a point on the ridge 
just sighted to, and then (an offset being made on the distant ridge 
equal to the distance of the Myer’s Hill signal from the old marked 
trees), the true azimuth from this new trigonometrical station to the 
offset station to the southward, would be the true range of the line. 

With the aid of the transit telescope the buildings were plainly 
discernible on the ridge — which was estimated to be ten or fifteen 
miles distant — and I made a careful sketch of a group of houses 
and barns, together with the fences and clumps of trees upon the 
ridge, as seen through the telescope. This sketch would enable me 
to identify the locality and select the station on the high ridge to 
which I resolved to proceed at once. 

Directing the transitman to commence the running of an offset 
line on an azimuth which would be nearly at right angles to the 
county line, and directing him to determine the astronomical azi¬ 
muth of this line, I proceeded, on the morning of July 20th, with 
assistant S. H. Snell and one or two of the men, by team, over 
rough woods-roads, across the country to the monument set in 1881 
at the intersection of the north line of Service’s patent with the west 
line of the Matchin tract. 

A renewed search was now made for ancient records to identify 
the boundaries and corners of Service’s patent. The early records 
of the State show but two references to the patent, neither of which 
are of practical value in identifying and proving its boundaries and 
corners. They have the vague interest of giving the earliest spell¬ 
ing of the name, making it “ Servis,” which is not the orthography 
as accepted at present. 

The only Colonial record I have found, that gives even the frag¬ 
mentary bounds of the patent, is the original manuscript dated 
August 4th, 1768, and recorded in Yol. XXIY of Land Papers, 
p. 158, Sec’y State’s office. This manuscript recites that: 

“ Pursuant to a warrant from his Excellency Sir Henry Moore 
“ Baronett Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over the 
“ province of New York, and the Territories depending thereon in 
“ America, Chancellor and Vice Admiral of the same,’' &c., had 
“ surveyed for Petei Servis, Moses Tibbit, Peter Servis Jun’r., Sam. 
“ uel Rannion, Peter Miller, Lucas Yeder, Peter Frederick, Stephen 
“ Hipp, Michael Russell, Peter Fias, Coenradt Creutzenburger, 
“ Michael Gallenger, Andreas Snyder, Nicholas Shafer, George Hipp, 
“Johannes West, Adam Rupert, Francis Beard, George Keep, 


94 


Report of Yerplanck Colvin 


“ George Stam, Lawrence Leman, Mathias Link, Thomas Morgan 
“ Joseph Mordaunt and John Simms, all that certain tract of land 
“ * * in the County of Albany * * purchased by his 

“ Excellency from the Oneida Indians by deed bearing date the first 
“ day of October, 1766,” * * etc., (giving no statement of the 

“ chained distance of the north line, but only its bearing) “ south 
“ seventy-three degrees and thirty minutes east to Canada creek, and 
“ then down the stream of said creek as it runs,” &c., * 

“ containing twenty-five thousand acres of land and the usual allow- 
“ ance for highways.” 

“ Given under my hand and seal the fourth day of August one 
u thousand seven hundred and sixty-eiglit. 

“ ALEX’R COLDER, 

“ Surveyor General.” 

This is all that affects the county line question in this ancient docu¬ 
ment — if it affects it at all. It does not tell what the corner on the 
Canada creek was, whether stump, stone or tree. 

In the Comptroller’s office is a map (old Ro. 10) which shows a 
very ancient and faded representation of Service’s patent and adja¬ 
cent tracts in minute proportions, without scale or distances being 
shown. On this map an allotment is shown which certainly never 
was made, as the lands are now held under other and different sub¬ 
divisions. This map is without date or record and does not tell what 
the corners of Service’s patent were. It is, therefore, of no value 
in this discussion. Such being the indefinite condition of the official 
records, I now made search and inquiry within the limits of the pat¬ 
ent itself to see.if no trace of accurate records could be found. 

At length I fortunately learned that Mr. Henry Broadwell, of 
Prospect, Oneida county, had in his possession the field notes of Ser¬ 
vice’s patent. 

These important records he very courteously placed in my hands, 
and I was now possessed of the documentary evidence necessary to 
prove the lines of the patent upon which the boundaries of the 
counties depended. 

The title of the manuscript, which is owned by Charles A. Mann, 
Esq., states that this is — 

“ A field book of a tract of Land formerly known by Service’s 
“ patent, but now the property of Garret Boon, Esq., Situate in the 
“ county of Herkimer and State of Rew York. Surveyed into lots 
“in 1795. By Calvin Guiteau.” 


on State Land Survey. 


95 


The following is a verbatim copy of the field notes of the bound¬ 
aries of this important-patent: 

“ Beginning at the N. W. corner of a tract of land granted to 
“Thomas Gage and others at a rock maple sapling cornered and 
“ marked W. T. G. G. G. B. 1793 <% 1795 standing on the W. bank 
“ of West Canada Creek, and runs from thence as the needle pointed 
“in the year 1793 S. 34° 30' W. along the boundary of said tract 
“ 603 chains 65 links to the S. W. thereof a beech tree cornered and 
“marked S. W. T. G. B. 1795 Standing in the north boundary line 
“of Cosbey’s Manor, thence along the North boundary line of the 
“ last mentioned tract N. 55° 30' W.. 56 chains 60 links to the S. E. 
“ corner of a tract of land the property of John Kelley a beech tree 
“cornered and marked S. W. J. H. W. 1793, 1795, thence along 
“the East boundary line of last said tract N. 14° 30' E. 339 chains 
“ 14 links to the N. E. corner thereof a rock maple sapling cornered 
“and marked H. W. J. A. G. 1795, thence along the N. boundary 
“of last mentioned tract N. 55° 30' W. 71 chains 75 links to a 
“ beech tree standing in the west bounds of Boon’s Patent, cornered 
“and marked G. B. 1795 standing 1 chain 50 links from the bank 
“of Nine mile creek on a [course]* of S. 14° 30' W. thenceN. 14° 
“ 30' E. along a line of marked trees. The bounds of a tract of 
“ land granted to Henry Lord Holland, and also a tract of land be¬ 
longing to Hon. Baron Stuben 668 chains 8 links to the S. W. 
“ corner of a tract of land granted to Klock and others at a stake 
“ with stones around 44 links N. N. W. from a large rock maple 
“tree cornered and marked G. B. 1793 & 1795 No. thence along 
“ the bounds of last mentioned tract a line of marked trees S. 75° 
“ 30' E. 473 chains to the Canada creek at a water ash tree standing 
“near the bank of said creek cornered and marked G. B. 1793 No. 
“8, 1795, thence down along the bank of said creek as it winds and 
“ turns to the N. W. corner of a tract of land granted to Tlios. 
“ Gage & others, being the place of beginning containing 23,609 
“ acres and 34 rods of land.” 

We were now in possession of records which told where the north¬ 
east corner of Service’s patent really was, and how and in what manner 
it had been originally located and marked. This point was described 
as a a water ash tree standing near the bank of said creek.”f I had 
had some question in my mind whether the original survey had not 
made the corner in the centre of the stream, whose bank forms the 


* The word [course] is inserted. 


f The West Canada creek. 




96 


Report of Yerplanck Colvin 


east bounds of Service’s patent; but the language is explicit; it 
does not refer to a tree standing on the water’s edge or on the bank 
of the stream, but “ near the bank” and this tree it was that made 
the corner. 

Now, how near the bank was this “ water ash tree ? ” I have here¬ 
tofore explained the character of the promontory upon which the 
line (locally called the north line of Service’s patent) terminated. 
This alluvial hat was here almost destitute of timber, and it seemed 
probable to me that the “ water ash tree ” was marked as the corner 
because it was the last line tree or compass tree — the rest of the 
bank being swampy brush, scrub-willows and elder bushes. 

The fact that the west line of the Matchin tract, wdiich was next 
adjacent on the north, started, not from the bank of the West Canada 
creek at the extreme end of the promontory, but from a point some 
distance westward (up the neck of land) on what was called the Service 
line, as located by me in 1881, had led me at that time to believe that 
the Matchin line ran north-westward from a well defined corner ; and 
that that was the north-east corner of Service’s patent. It was at the in¬ 
tersection of these lines that we had placed the stone monument which 
marks this south-west corner of the Matchin tract. Proceeding to this 
monument the instruments were placed in position and the estimated 
azimuth of the County line laid off, with a view to producing the 
line southward toward the clearing upon the ridge which I had seen 
from Myer’s Hill. It was exceedingly vexatious to find that the 
forest upon the farther bank of the creek prevented the immediate 
trial of this method, and rendered it necessary to multiply stations. 
From a clearing to the west of the monument, sight was had of an 
elevated sand-dune to the southward, which was apparently right in 
line, and but for the intervening forest, might be visible from the monu¬ 
ment. Some trees were cut on the opposite side of the Creek, but 
I was still unable to see the sand hill. Resolved to find some way 
out of this cul-de-sac, I ran a line on a true azimuth of North 5° 14' 
West across the flats, as the approximate bearing for the county 
line. The axemen clearing the line we reached, after twice in¬ 
tersecting the meandering waters of the West Canada, the top of a 
little bluff on the north shore of a bend in that stream. From this 
bluff I at last obtained a view of the lofty sand-dune. Back-sighting 
with the transit upon the monument at the corner, the telescope was 
elevated, and to our delight bisected almost the exact crown of the 
dune, which the men named Lucky Hill by acclamation. 

A flag was placed on the newly-discovered hill and set in line by 


on State Land Survey. 


97 


transit, and then the hill was reached by a roundabout march of about 
a mile, and ascended and occupied as an instrument station. The 
summit was found to be a projecting shoulder or headland of a sandy 
plateau which follows the south bank of the West Canada some dis¬ 
tance back from the stream. Its elevated, rounded summit had evi¬ 
dently once been in part drifting sand, and the station was conse¬ 
quently named “ Higli-dune.” 

High-dune was indeed a fortunate station. From it, the flags set 
north of the monument were visible, and by a little cutting to the 
southward we obtained a view of an elevated, cleared ridge, appar¬ 
ently a mile or two away, which seemed to be the very ridge 

observed from Mver’s Hill. 

«/ 

The station on High-dune was made permanent, and the direction 
of the true meridian was carefully determined. The declination of 
the needle was found to be 9° 26'.7 west from true north at 10 a. m. 
on July 21st at this station. Higli-dune, I also discovered, was 
available as a tertiary triangulation station, but unfortunately was too 
low to afford a view of the Myer’s Hill offset station or of Pen Mount 
or Gommer Hill. 

On the following day (July 22d) I proceeded to the high ridge, 
toward which, in order to avoid any mistake, it was necessary to 
march directly. This ridge when reached was found to be a very 
commanding point, and from it at length we beheld Myers’ Hill, and 
my telescope soon showed me, that the men at that station had not 
been idle during my absence. The signal was now completed on the 
summit, and showed finely against the sky in the lane which had 
been cut across that ridge. But the hill, on which we now were, did 
not correspond in topography with the telescopic drawing made on 
Myers’ Hill, and somewhat mystified, we searched still further south, 
and saw at length still ten miles distant, the ridge with clearing and 
buildings that I had so carefully sketched. That ridge was evidently 
too distant to be available, as from it the county corner on the West 
Canada creek could not be seen, and much additional triangulation 
would be needed to obtain the distance. There was no time for such 
delays as would be occasioned by occupying so distant a station. 

The problem before us seemed more difficult now than at any time 
heretofore. It was seven miles north of the corner to the first of 
the marked trees, which by any evidence could be proved to be a 
section of the Oneida County line and, even from this commanding 
point, the multitude of low ridges between us and Myers’ Hill, cut 
off from view the lowlands where the line ran, and we were only 

[Assem. Doc. No. 126.] 13 


98 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


able to see tlie Myers’ Hill ridge with its elevations and depressions 
forming the horizon in that direction. 

At this time I received despatches from Albany which made it 
necessary for me to return to the Capitol, and leaving assistant Snell 
to see what could be done in the way of an offset along this first 
ridge, I started at 3 o’clock in the morning for Forestport, which I 
reached at 6:45 in the morning. Here instructions were sent to the 
survey party to measure offsets both north and south of Myers’ Hill, 
and to place flags in line upon the tops of the loftiest trees that were 
located at the terminus of the offsets. The transitman was directed 
to remain on Myers’ Hill and obtain the true meridian and the azi¬ 
muth of the offset flags by astronomical observations. One signal 
party was sent northward to Moose river to ascertain whether a flag¬ 
staff signal could not be lashed to the top of one of the highest 
trees (on the marked line found in 1881 at the crossing of the 
river) at the same offset distance to the west that Myers’ Hill was 
from the line, and the corresponding offset proposed south of the 
High-dune and the Barhydt ridge. 

July 28th, I learned that the offset work had been found almost 
impracticable, and telegraphed the engineers to meet me at the vil¬ 
lage of Grant, Herkimer county, which I reached from Prospect sta¬ 
tion on the Utica and Black river railroad, early on the morning of 
the 29th. The assistant in charge of the party arrived at evening 
with the transitman and signalmen. They reported the requisite as¬ 
tronomical and azimuth work done, but had found the Oneida county 
line very irregular and uncertain. A vertical signal pole had been 
lashed into the top of a high tree in line to the northward of Myers’ 
Hill, at the terminus of the offset line from the nearest marked tree 
found. This work had been difficult and dangerous, as the trees 
were gigantic hard woods without limbs for sixty feet, and too large 
to give aid to the arms of the climber, even when his feet were 
provided with climbing irons. This high signal staff had been 
found to be affected by the wind so that a very exact determination 
of its azimuth was difficult. 

To the southward, on Barhydt Hill, the offset line ran into a fine 
grove of sugar maples which obstructed the view to Myers’ Hill and, 
as the owner would not hear of any cutting of the timber, this offset 
was impracticable. It was now suggested that a large balloon could 
be sent up and held by ropes over the north end of the line of 
marked trees, and elevated to the height of a mile so as to show 
above all the ridges and serve as a signal. This novel plan was re- 


on State Land Survey. 


99 


jected. A lengthy consultation was now held and the stations, so 
far occupied, were platted and the points where marked trees had 
been found noted. Giving the present question due consideration, I 
came to the following conclusions : 

(1.) That inasmuch as the object of this work was to obtain the 
true direction of the Lewis and Herkimer county line, and the astro¬ 
nomical equivalent of magnetic north in 1802, it was necessary to 
obtain a knowledge of the azimuth or deflection from the true me¬ 
ridian of the line, run in 1802, on the magnetic meridian between 
Herkimer and Oneida counties. 

(2.) That a right line of known astronomical azimuth, if made to 
thread the old compass line, could, by offsets to right and left to the 
old line trees, and subsequent computation, be made to afford the 
true azimuth needed. 

I therefore resolved to settle the question, by running a transit 
line from the Service patent corner, to the marked trees on Moose 
river, nearly 20 miles to the northward ; the survey party to measure 
offsets to all marked trees which proved to be a portion of the old 
Oneida county line “ north” in 1802. The terminus of the transit 
line from the signal on Myers’ Hill, to the marked trees (supposed 
there to be the north end of the Oneida county line,) was now marked 
by a stone monument. 

Here arose one last difficulty. The reference line, proposed to be 
run by transit, must have its direction located so as to “ thread ” the 
irregular compass line of 1802, and render it easy to find and identify 
and make offsets to the old compass trees. The device which I had 
successfully employed in 1872, in searching for the location of remote 
lakes in the wilderness, now became again of service. I resolved to 
have large rockets sent up at night from the marked trees at the east 
foot of Myers’ Hill, and to use the range thus secured, with its as¬ 
tronomical azimuth as the direction of the trial line. Signal rockets 
were, accordingly, sent for, and after many trials and watching both 
in clear and stormy nights, rockets sent up by signalman Wheeler, 
from the station eastward of Myers’ Hill, were observed by transit- 
man Hawkins from the Barhydt hill station, and referred to the 
lamp-signal at the station in the valley below on High-dune. The 
azimuth of the rocket station was found, by observations of Polaris , 
to be nearly five degrees west of the true meridian. This was very 
near the azimuth of the north offset flag on the Woodhull river 
range as observed from Myers’ Hill. 

The next step was to settle upon the initial or starting point from 


100 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


which to run the transit line northward. I greatly regretted that no 
trace could be found of the “ water ash tree” described in the orig¬ 
inal records as the north-east corner of Service’s patent. The length 
of the north line of the patent (473 chains), if resurveyed from the 
North-west corner to the North-east corner, should give the position 
of that corner. Six miles of additional measurement was, however, 
to be avoided if practicable, and I resolved first, to trace the bounds 
of lot No. 8 in Service’s patent, which occupied that corner of the 
tract of which I had the field notes. The description of the corners and 
boundaries of this lot, as given in the field-notes so fortunately found* 
are as follows: 

“ Lot No. 8. 

“ Begins at a spruce tree on the bank of the Canada creek marked 
“ 8 t . 9. thence N. 14°i E. 20.50 chains at a post standing in the N. line 

of the Patent, a beech tree N. E. 7 links, marked 7. 8. thence S. 
“ 75|° E. 53 ch. along the Patent line to a water ash tree standing 
“ near the N. bank of the Canada creek marked 1793 G. B. No. 8. 
“ 1795, thence down along bank of said creek to the place of be- 
“ ginning containing 66 acres of land.” 

I inspected the descriptions in the deeds of the owners of the 
property in and adjacent to Lot No. 8, and found that they con¬ 
formed to the above description. Proceeding to the Adirondack 
Survey monument of 1881, at the south-west corner of the Matchin 
tract, the north line of Service’s patent was traced north-west¬ 
ward 53 chains, and the north-west corner of the lot was found just 
beyond the road leading southward to the Twin-rock bridge. This 
was firmly marked by a post of a fence which here made a right 
angle. Near by, south-east, were very old beech trees bearing 
witness marks, easily discernible. This corner was, therefore, suffi¬ 
ciently proved, and from it the resurvey of lot No. 8 was begun. 
The west line of the lot was first remeasured and was traced 
southward to the bank of the West Canada creek, here very ab¬ 
rupt. This side of the lot was found to have a length of 1,373.50 
feet or twenty chains and eighty-one links, and was measured with 
steel ribbon, held at ten pound tension by spring balances with 
levels attached. The original drag-chain survey gave the length at 
20 chains and 50 links ; being 31 links less than the present survey. 
This would be 20 T 4 7 6 7 feet scant of the present measure. A slight pro¬ 
jection of level land exists just above where this line strikes the creek 
and it was probable that an alluvial shore of this width had extended 
along below the bank. 


on State Land Survey. 


101 


The original magnetic bearing of this line had been S. 14° 30' W. 
The present bearing was S. 19° 17 .5 W., a change since 1795 of 4° 
47'.5 to the westward in declination. The allowance usually made 
in this section of the State at the present time in retracing magnetic 
lines of that age is about 4° west. Returning to the north-west cor¬ 
ner of lot No. 8, the north line of the lot was next retraced, the 
measurements being made in the same rigorous manner with steel 
ribbon —kept level under tension and alligned by transit — directly 
along the old north bounds of the Service patent, identified by the 
old marks, by the field notes, by descriptions in the deeds of owners, 
and by the inhabitants. 

This line brought us at length directly to the stone monument on 
the promontory, set m 1881, as the south-west corner of the Matchin 
tract, and the south-east corner of the DeWitt tract. It forms the 
boundary between the farm now owned by Wall, on the south, 
in lot No. 8 of Service’s patent, and that of Bronson on the north, 
in the DeWitt tract. Commencing at the corner near the marked 
beech trees, the line, after crossing a small brook, at 350 feet begins 
to ascend to a ridge of sandy hills, from which it descends steeply at 
1,800 feet to a tree swamp containing water-maples and black-ash 
trees; the latter being the “ water-ash ” trees of the ancient phra¬ 
seology. The monument was reached at a distance of 3,457.50 feet 
from the north-west corner of lot No. 8, about 40 feet less than the 
original measurement, which was 53 chains or 3,498 feet. The meas¬ 
urements were continued for this distance toward the bank of the 
West Canada, opposite the mouth of Black creek; (the outlet of 
Jerseyfield Lake) but no mark or trace of any other corner was to be 
found. Near the monument embedded in the ground was found 
the dark water-soaked trunk of a black-ash tree; and at a distance 
of two hundred feet east of the monument another trunk of the 
same species of tree, rootless and branchless, was found-bedded be¬ 
neath the bank; showing that the shore was changeable and made 
and unmade by the freshets. 

On the whole, I judged it best to commence the Reference Line 
from the stone monument that I had set in 1881, which was unques¬ 
tionably the corner of the DeWitt and Matchin tracts, and upon 
the Service north line. That these two patent lines should meet thus, 
convinced me that they started from some old patent corner; for it was 
improbable that they should thus intersect and terminate without 
cause. Now there is no other corner there but the north-east cornei 4 
of Service’s patent, consequently this corner of the DeWitt and 
Matchin would be the long sought Service corner. 


102 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


The north line of the Service patent has an azimuth from this 
monument of 99° 27'45", or a bearing of N. 80° 32'.15" W. from the 
true meridian. The magnetic bearing of this line on Aug. 3d, 1883, 
at 5:30 p. m., from the station on the bluff, (1,057.5 feet west 
of the monument,) was N. 69° 59 .2 W. The magnetic bearing of 
the line in 1795 was S. 75° 30' E., or N. 75°, 30' W. On this line, 
therefore, since 1795, there has been a change in the pointing of the 
needle of 5° 00'. 8 to the northward. This is a large variation and 
cannot be equally apportioned among the 88 intervening years, as 
the date of the commencement of the westward movement of the 
needle is here unknown. It was probably between the years 1800 
and 1815. Further study and research of the boundaries run and 
marked at that time, would probably furnish this important factor in 
the study of terrestrial magnetism. 

The declination of the needle was found to be 10° 33'.0 West of 
true north at the magnetic station last mentioned. (Aug. 3d, 1883.) 
On July 22d, 1881, the declination at the Service monument was 
found to be 10° 27’.4 West. The difference is but 5^- minutes of 

k n 

arc, and allowing for the difference of two years . _ =• 2 .8., which 

2 

is the amount of the annual change of the needle to the westward 
at this time in this locality. Both of these results are the means of 
repeated observations. It is well to remark that the magnetic obser¬ 
vations indicate considerable local attraction of the needle at some 
points in this vicinity. 

While these measurements were being made the detached parties 
at Myers’ Hill and the signalmen had, in accordance with instruc¬ 
tions, broken camp and moved southward, to join us at the mouth 
of Black creek. At evening on August 3, the tents were pitched on 
the north bank of the West Canada, near where the reference line 
would pass, and the entire party assembled. Meanwhile the line had 
been cleared northward on the range adopted and a reference lamp 
station made at a distance of 2,766 feet to the northward. All night 
on the 3d into early morning on the 4th, I was busied at the transit, 
but clouds and gusts of rain prevented the observation of stars, and 
the reference line was started next morning on the solar azimuth 
previously determined. 

Daylight on the 4th opened with storm, but the work was imme¬ 
diately begun and by noon—notwithstanding several severe showers—• 
over half a mile of the base-line had been run. Every foot of the 
line was rigorously measured with steel ribbon, and the topography 
— crossing of streams, slopes, bluffs and marshes — located by me as- 



on State Land Survey. 


103 


urement and sketched in detail. By evening, more than a mile of 
line had been run, and posts marking the location of the County 
line set at the intersection of the line with the highway to Remsen. 
So far no old line or sign of one could be discovered on or near the 
reference line. Not a marked tree or a fence line was to be found 
that ran in that direction. The country, here, was largely cleared, 
the lands sandy and not very productive on the north bank of the 
river. None of the inhabitants knew where the County line was— 
or even in what county their lands were, and our operations were 
watched with great interest — some remarking that they would now 
know in wdiat county to vote. As questions of franchise, assessment 
and taxation and the ownership of public and private lands, de¬ 
pended, in all the counties affected by this line, upon its accurate lo¬ 
cation ; special care was taken with every detail of the measurement. 

The instrument used was a six-incli transit theodolite of superior 
quality, constructed by Stackpole of New York. It was adjusted 
for collimation by reversal in the standards. The pivots of the axis 
were extremely true. The object-glass was clear and good and the 
eye pieces superb Steinheil achromatic lenses. With the sensitive 
levels and high powers used, the line could be run with great pre¬ 
cision. The station rods were held in tripods and made vertical by 
means of adjustable levels placed at right angles on each rod. The 
measurements were made with steel-tape, graduated to feet, tenths 
and hundredths. Temperature observations were made at each sta¬ 
tion, to bring all the measures to standard. The leveling and ten¬ 
sion attachments to the steel-tape have been heretofore mentioned. 
Every care was taken to insure an exact determination of the line. 

It is not necessary to give the details of these measurements. The 
manner in which the line was started has been given in full, in order 
to explain the difficulties encountered in securing the evidence on 
which to base the restoration of the line, and the method finally 
adopted. 

Having thus seen this party well under way, and their work no 
longer involving any more difficult problem than the running of a 
direct transit line on the given azimuth northward, I gave them my 
final instructions, and hastened eastward to watch the pi ogress of 
the other survey parties. 

A month of routine work now lay before the party under assist- 
ant Snell. Nearly twenty miles of rough country; a forest full of 
fallen timber; lay before them. Fortunately woods-roads would in¬ 
tersect the line at many points along its southern part, and arrange- 


104 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


merits were made by which provisions would be brought by team to 
meet the party at such points. 

The brush and fallen timber made the labor of a large party of 
axmen continuously necessary. The transitman, Mr. Hawkins, urged 
the work forward with as much speed as was consistent with the 
accuracy of work desired; and, notwithstanding delays caused by 
storm, the survey party was able to average more than 4,000 feet of 
measured base-line per day. 

It was not until 15,650 feet of line had been run in and measured, 
that a section of the ancient line was found, which was located 110 
feet to the eastward of the base-line. 

At 16,574 feet from the corner monument the line crossed little 
Black creek at a bend of that stream in the forest swamp. 

At 18,242 feet the ancient line was again found, now 143 feet to 
the eastward of the base-line; and at 21,675 feet the ancient line 
was again found 150 feet to the eastward of the transit base-line. 

At 23,000 feet north from the initial monument at Service’s 
patent the old marked trees were found 146 feet to the east of the base. 

At 23,825 feet the old marked trees were again discovered in what 
is known as “ bark-slash,” where the cutting of hemlock trees, for 
the bark had left the ground almost impassable, on account of timber 
going to decay, unutilized. At 31,150 feet the main body of the 
Black river was reached and crossed, here 250 feet wide, and con¬ 
taining some small islands. 

At 34,319 feet the old line was again found, and located by offset 
125 feet to the eastward of the reference base. 

At 35,476 the old marked trees were found only 51 feet to the 
eastward / some local attraction having caused a deflection. 

At 38,500 feet Pine creek was crossed. Soon after passing this 
point the old line swerved to the left and crossed the transit line, 
and at 47,132 feet from the corner monument, the old marked trees 
were by offset 165 feet to the west of the transit line or base-line. 

The old line was now irregular as though it had been roughly run 
or was affected by local attraction. 

At 43,500 feet the little Woodhull river was reached. 

At 49,100 feet the old marked trees were found 50 feet to the 
westward of the transit base-line. 

At 50,92S feet the old marked trees were 126 feet to the westward. 

At 53,745 feet the offset from Myer’s Hill signal station was 
intersected, and the old line was found to be located 153 feet fur¬ 
ther west than had been anticipated. 


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on State Land Survey. 


105 


At 56,522 feet marked trees of the old line were found 95 feet to 
the west of the transit line. 

At 58,255 feet the old line trees straggled irregularly along the 
transit line. For a quarteV of a mile the old line was here easily traced 
and its identification was certain. There was now no question that the 
line we had been offsetting to, and which had crossed our line, was 
the line referred to in deeds and consequently the statutory line be¬ 
tween the Counties of Oneida and Herkimer, run in 1802, and 
governing ; as I have shown, the direction of the remainder of the 
line as yet unrun, between the Counties of Herkimer and Lewis. 

At 64,000 feet the old line was 115 feet to the westward. 

At 64,543 feet the transit line reached the Woodhull river ; the 
line descending a deep declivity to the banks of that stream, and 
running over level ground for 200 feet after passing the stream; 
ascends a steep bank sloping to the south and east. On the south 
bank of the Woodhull a small stream enters the river about 125 feet 
to the east of the line. 

At 68,400 feet the old line was 103 feet west of the transit line. 

At 72,516 feet two enormous blocks of granite, lying to the south 
of a small brook, intercepted the transit line; transit station No. 
112 being made on top of the southernmost of the two blocks. 

At 73,800 feet the line was found 105 feet to the west of the 
transit line. 

At 74,280 feet the old line is 116^ feet west. Here the division 
line of old marked trees, between the Woodhull and Cramer tracts, 
was found and connected with the base line by measurements. 

At 88,563 feet the old line is only 49 feet west of the transit line. 

At 94,700 feet the old marked trees are 75 feet to the westward 
of the transit line. The offset was made to the corner of lots 6, 7 , 
12 and 13 of the Devereaux tract, and connects that patent with the 
base-line. 

At 96,752 feet an offset was run to little Otter lake, 1,008 feet 
distant, and the lake located and its form sketched. 

On August 2d, having arranged the work of the other survey 
parties, I rejoined the party engaged upon this base-line. 

The transit line was now but a short distance to the southward of 
Moose river ; and the old marked trees, less irregular and straggling 
than heretofore, maintained their position at an average distance of 
100 feet to the westward. The forest was here principally hard-wood, 
consisting of large yellow birches, beech trees and a variety of 
maples; together with spruce and hemlock, the former having been 

[Assem. Doc. No. 126.] 14 


106 


Repoet of Verplanck Colvin 


to a great extent cut by the lumbermen, and the latter by the bark 
peelers for the tannerymen. Yet the forest was dense, dark and 
savage, and footprints of deer and bear were observed ; so that, but 
for the stumps and felled timber and occasional skid-ways met with, 
this section appeared as wild as when visited years since. 

The ground was hilly and irregular, yet, covered so deeply with 
the forest mould, that the fallen timber, branches, leaves and moss, 
now decayed to a soft spongy mass, formed the only soil. Below 
this deposit, rocks and boulders and earthless gravel or — rarely — 
sand, composed the rugged basis, over which the tree roots 
twisted in their efforts to obtain food. All the humus and the 
u wooden soil,” the forest trees and plants have themselves, ob¬ 
tained both carbon and hydrogen, from the atmosphere. Neither 
the rock, the boulders, nor the sands contain those elements. 
The substance of this entire forest has been and must be derived from 
the atmosphere. The native rocks contain no carbon, and the mass 
of carbonaceous material, which goes to make up this forest, can only 
have been accumulated during countless ages from the carbonic di¬ 
oxide, diffused in the air and absorbed as food by the trees and plants. 

The deep mould or “ duff’” was a source of much annoyance to 
the transitman. The tripod legs of the instrument would at times 
descend so deeply into it, on one side or the other, as to render it 
difficult to level the transit. Holes had often to be dug in the duff 
around the tripod legs, to insure a firm placing of the feet upon the 
rock, and again temporary scaffolds of timber built for the observer 
to stand upon, in order to prevent his weight pressing upon the 
elastic “ duff,” and thus affecting, however slightly, the support of 
the instrument. 

At 98,434 feet an offset was measured westward from the transit 
line, and the old marked line was found 85 feet distant. 

At 98,921 feet the old marked line had made an angle and was 
now 36 feet nearer than at the last offset station ; the offset distance 
being 85 feet. 

At 100,132 feet the old line had wandered off again further to the 
westward, and was now 94 feet distant. 

W e now approached a bluff from which, glistening among the trees, 
we could see the waters of Moose river. 

At 102, 123^- feet from the Service monument, the south bank of 
Moose river was reached by measurement with the steel ribbon. 
The waters of the stream were here too deep and too wide to admit 
of direct measurement. A raft was constructed from the trunks of 


on State Land Survey. 


107 


dry spruce trees, and the baggage, tents and provisions of the party 
ferried over. In transporting the men an accident occurred which 
might have been serious had not the raftsmen been expert lumbermen. 
As it was, the party then on the raft were thrown into the river; 
the raft breaking up in their efforts to maintain themselves upon it. 
The men escaped to the shore, a new raft was constructed, and the 
whole party was by nightfall on September 3d encamped on the 
north bank of the river. 

While the ferrying of the party was proceeding, I directed the 
measurement of the base-lines on the narrow alluvial flat along the 
river bank. All three angles of each of the triangles were measured ; 
the two base-lines having their initial point in common. This 
initial point was the last station of the transit line, on the north 
bank of the river. From this the sub-base lines were measured, 
one to the east and the other to the west. The length of the side, 
common to each triangle, forming the width of the river along the 
main transit-line, by computation from each base, differed one one- 
lmndredth part of a foot. The mean of the two measures was 
adopted and the transit line continued northward. 

We were now approaching the goal. Moose river had for a month 
been on every tongue, and many estimates had been made as to the 
date on which the line would reach the south bounds of Macomb’s 
great purchase, and how far the line would come from the most 
westerly corner of the Moose river tract, and the monument set in 
1881, on the boundary between the Moose river and Brown tracts. 

The party had met with a rough and tiresome experience. Their line 
had run through slashes of fallen timber, over ridges and broken 
ground where provisions and baggage had to be carried, with 
heavy loads upon the back, each day the camp was moved. Often 
water had been difficult to get. Now we were camped upon the 
banks of the river, whose clear, pure waters swept swiftly by. The 
rush of the rapids, mingled with the whispering of the winds among 
the tree tops soothed the weary that night. With provisions plenty 
in camp, pure water in abundance, and the work progressing favor¬ 
ably, the men were joyous and contented, and many a song arose 
around the camp-fire, when the dry spruce logs blazed brightly and 
cast their ruddy glare far out across the stream towards the dark 
wall of forest on the opposite shore. Soon the tired men had sunk 
to rest, and the hoot of the owl alone sounded above the whisper 
of the waves and winds. 

September 4th proved bright and pleasant and all were soon astir. 


108 


Report of Yerplanck Colvin 


Occupying the last station made on the preceding day with the Solar 
Transit, I obtained the azimuth of the line. This done, work was 
resumed, and at 1 p. m. the south line of Macomb’s purchase was 
reached ; being here the south line of the Brown tract, and the north 
line of the Moose river tract. 

The total distance run was 103,824-ji^ feet or 19-j^ 3 ^ statute 
miles from the Service line monument on the West Canada creek. 

The reference monument placed in 1881 on the south bounds of 
Macomb’s purchase at the point where the old line trees (then be¬ 
lieved to be the Oneida county line) were found to terminate, was 
now found to have been correctly placed, and was determined by 
these measurements to be the most North-easterly corner of the 
County of Oneida, and located upon the south bounds of the County 
of Lewis. The transit line terminated 102 -j^j feet to the eastward 
of this monument, the last-mentioned distance being the correction 
distance to be applied to the azimuth of the reference line. 

The mean azimuth of the reference line, or base-line, has been 
computed from the astronomical observations at 175° 03' I3."21; 
or north 4° 56' 46."79 west from the true meridian. 

Computing the value of 102 T y T5 - feet for the distance 103,824 t 1 -q 8 t5 - 
feet, we obtain as a result of the measurement of the base-line, the 
following correction to the astronomical azimuth (Z): 

(1.) R x GO 


ft 


— _ Z 2 = - 0° 03' 23."97. 


which being applied to the azimuth on which the reference line was 
run gives the azimuth of the county line from the South—as 

(2.) Zl - z 2 = Z = 174° 59' 49."24. * 


from the true meridian, or North 5° 00' 10."76 West; which is the 
determination, by these measurements, of the legal meaning and 
astronomical equivalent, for this locality, of the word “North,” as 
used in the Statute, and as the true geodesic direction or bearing 
required by the general law. (.Revised Statutes of 1848, Chap. 2, 
Part 1.) 

The declination of the needle, therefore, along this line in 1802 
was 5° 00. 1 to the west of true north. This is an important scien¬ 
tific fact, inasmuch as the years, between 1797 and 1802, are held 
by some authorities to have been the local time of no variation. 
There ai e lecoias which indicate that on Oct. 1st, 1797, m the 
adjacent County of Jefferson, the magnetic needle was upon the 
true meridian. The tracing of this line of ancient compass trees, 


* Convergency == 1' 24/05. 








on State Land Survey. 


109 


however, after allowance has been made for the offsets, shows that 
in this section of the State, the magnetic needle at the time when 
this compass line was run was over live degrees to the westward of 
the true meridian ; at the very time it was supposed to have little 
or no variation. 

That this is generally true for almost the entire southern and east¬ 
ern forest area of our northern or Adirondack counties, I have been 
able to prove by the re-survey with solar-transit of a great number 
of the ancient compass lines. 

The comparison of the magnetic and true bearing of ancient lines 
in the counties of Essex, Warren, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, 
and Clinton, show that the lines run in the supposed years of 
no variation, were in the wilderness generally lines of westerly decli¬ 
nation, at that time, of from 3° to 5° from the true north. 

I have elsewhere discussed this subject at some length, and will, 
therefore, coniine the present observations to the special base line here 
under consideration. 

The fact that this “ north ” was actually a north-west line did not 
surprise me, as I had anticipated such a result. 

The present declination of the magnetic needle at the north end 
of the line just run, was found to be 10° 54' west of true north. 

The declination in 1802, as shown by the old line traced, was 
almost 5° to the westward of true north. 

It is, therefore, evident that since 1802 the north point of 
the needle has moved still further to the westward about 5° 54'. 

If we were able to determine the exact time when the westerly 
movement commenced, (or the amount of the movement in arc and 
the direction of the annual variation,) we should be able to obtain the 
mean annual change of declination. 

As it is, the 354' (5° 54') total change in eighty-one years is prob¬ 
ably affected by both the easterly and westerly movements of the 
Earth’s directive magnetic force, and is to be regarded as the result¬ 
ant of two unequal movements. This is an unquestionable fact. 
But for this, we might assume the mean annual change to be 
represented by ^ i ^ , = 4. , 37 to the westward. 

The important fact, in search of which this long line had been 
surveyed with so much care, had now been attained. 

The reports received from the other survey parties in the field of 
the expense of their sections of work showed me that it was not ad¬ 
visable to attempt, for the present, the running of the east line of 
Lewis county. 



no 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


The azimuth of that line had now been determined. To run the 
Lewis county line with transit—a distance of thirty-five or forty miles 
through dense forest — and to properly monument it, and test and 
maintain its allignment by additional astronomical observations, 
called for more means and time than was now at my disposal. Con¬ 
sequently, on the morning of September 5th, I announced to the 
survey party, that the work of that Division would cease for the 
season. All was at once activity in the camp. Knapsacks and 
pack-baskets were brought forth, blankets folded, the instruments 
boxed, and a pack-horse brought from the settlement was loaded 
with a heavy portion of the impedimenta of the camp. 

The scene at the breaking up, is shown in plate No. 2, from a 
photograph of this party which I took at the time, and gives a view 
up Moose river from the north bank at the crossing of the county line. 

Soon the tents were struck and folded, the packs, tripods, transit- 
staffs and knapsacks shouldered ; and by a rapid march the party 
reached the settlement of Moose river tanneries the same day at 
noon. They were immediately paid off and returned to their homes. 

Conclusions. 

The object in retracing the line between the Counties of Oneida 
and Herkimer has been sufficiently explained. 

The law of 1883 required maps to be made of the several counties 
of northen New York, and to do this it was necessary to know the 
true direction or range of the lines or boundaries of said counties. 

The statutes of the State made the magnetic meridian at the time 
when such lines were established by law the governing meridian of 
all such lines. 

The direction of the magnetic meridian in that locality in the 
year of 1802 had therefore to be ascertained. 

A tradition existed that a portion of the south part of the long 
meridional west line of the County of Herkimer had been run by 
magnetic compass in 1802, and formed the boundary between the 
Counties of Oneida and Herkimer. 

Research showed us marked trees which were locally called this 
particular line; but no sufficient documentary evidence existed to 
prove that it was authoritative, while an examination of the line 
showed that it was irregular in direction. 

Further research brought to light the documentary evidence, 
proving the north bounds and the north-east corner of Service's 
patent. 


on State Land Survey. 


Ill 


The intersection of the several boundaries of the Matchin and 
DeWitt tracts upon the north line of the Service patent, at one point 
near the north bank of the West Canada creek, was accepted as 
determining the location of the sought-for corner and initial point. 
The existence of a considerable line of ancient marked trees, far to 
the northward, which were closely identified by reference to deeds, 
as being a section of the old Oneida county line, and of similar 
marked trees near Moose river, was accepted as the northern ex¬ 
tremity of the old magnetic north line, whose true astronomical 
direction was needed in the preparation of the maps. 

From these premises the following conclusions were reached: 

(1.) That the running of a transit line from the north-east corner 
of Service’s patent, to the marked trees, called the Oneida county 
line, would discover whether such line were continuous, and identify 
and settle its location officially. 

(2.) That the true astronomical azimuth or bearing from the south 
monument, set by the Adirondack Survey in 1881, to the marked 
trees on Moose river, would be the average magnetic declination in 
the year in which that line was run ; or the azimuth angle, which 
the magnetic north (called for by the statute) made at that time with 
the true meridian. It was upon this theory that the line was retraced, 
and the survey, heretofore detailed, afforded the following results as 

Findings. 

I. 

The word North, as used in the Revised Statutes, referring 
to the west bounds of the County of Herkimer, is to be interpreted 
as a true astronomical bearing of north five degrees and ten seconds 
west, or an azimuth of 174°, 59', 49".24. 

II. 

That the boundary line between the Counties of Lewis and 
Herkimer, run upon this azimuth, will be in compliance with the 
statute, within the limits of the mean position of the ancient line 
used as reference and proof. 


112 


Report of Verplanok Colvin 


* 

SECTION IV. 

HAMILTON COUNTY- 


AND 

PORTIONS OF SARATOGA AND WARREN COUNTIES 

AND FULTON COUNTY. 


The limited time within which this report must be transmitted to 
the Legislature, compels me to be brief in the account of the work 
accomplished in the other counties within the limits of the survey. 
A report upon systematic measurements made for the purpose of 
settling disputed boundaries, or for securing exact information, 
should treat the question: first, as to the object and purpose of 
the survey; second , it should state all the existing conditions of the 
question prior to the survey ; third , it should give the manner in 
which the research was made; and fourth , give the results and con¬ 
clusions and the facts found in regard to any disputed boundary. 

These rules have been followed as far as possible in the present 
report. 

As the object of this survey was to settle the disputed boundaries, 
which enclosed all the outlying or detached portions of the State 
lands, the general survey of each and every piece and parcel of the 
State’s property was not attempted. Only the settlement of those 
vexed questions which laid open the detached and separated tracts to 
despoilment were undertaken, for the means afforded were far too 
limited to admit of the survey of every piece and parcel of the 
State’s vast possessions. 

In the County of Hamilton the State owns vast tracts of forest; 
more, in fact, than any other county of the Commonwealth. 

Within the limits of this county are upwards of 1,000,000 acres 
of dense woods, much of it primeval wilderness, and of this area the 
State now owns 252,072 acres. 

This land is so wild and inaccessible as to be secure from the plun- 



/ 


on State Land Sukvey. 


113 


derers who cut out the best butt logs in the spruce forests near the 
settlements. 

The lands nearest the settlements, therefore, and in the vicin¬ 
ity where lumbering operations were being carried on, need¬ 
ed the most attention; and investigation led me to decide that 
the lands in the county of Hamilton, which most immediately re¬ 
quired survey, were tracts in Palmer’s purchase adjacent to and 
in the counties of Saratoga and Warren; the lands in the Benson 
township, and iands in the southern and western part of Totten and 
Crossfield’s purchase in the central part of the county. 

The retracing of the boundaries in these sections was entrusted to 
Mr. J. Francisco, who had accompanied me on previous land surveys, 
and was acquainted with the methods of work in use upon this survey, 
and with the boundaries of most of the larger tracts. 

The first work undertaken in the county of Hamilton was the 
restoration and monumenting of the south bounds of Benson town¬ 
ship — the gold mining district — in which a large number of lots 
are owned by the State. 

This line forms, also, the south boundary of Hamilton, and the 
north boundary of the county of Fulton. 

On August 7th, assistant Francisco, accompanied by surveyor 
Kelly, and their topographer, chainmen, axemen and guides, began 
this section of work, where the line of Benson was unquestioned, 
and proceeded to trace it westward toward the south-west corner, 
which was involved in doubt, and made lot-lines in that direction, 
somewhat uncertain. By careful search the old line was found and 
traced; blocks being cut from the old trees which proved the line 
and carried the original survey back to the year 1793. 

During the interval of ninety years the bearing of the line, which 
was originally due east and west by the magnetic needle, had changed 
to North 85° 30' West, showing a variation in the declination of the 
needle of 4° 30 since the time of original survey. Stone monuments 
were set at seven of the principal lot corners, identified by marked 
trees and lines of lots, showing the ancient marks, the tree trunks 
now often dead and crumbling to decay. 

A notable exception, to the generally mature condition of ancient 
timber, w r as met with upon one of these lines in the case of a yellow 
birch tree, four inches in diameter, which was found to have been 
marked in the preceding century. This tree was still, apparently, 
young and thrifty. Its growth, since 1794, had been very slow, and 
the experts were amazed at the appearance of ancient looking line- 

[Assem. Doc. No. 126.] 


114 


Report of Yerpl^nck Col yin 


scores, on its stem. Indeed, it was not until a block liad been cut 
out, and the rings of the wooded growth — thin almost as tissue 
paper—had been counted, that they were convinced, that this young 
looking tree could have been marked, as a line tree, at so early a 
period. 

At the south-west corner of the Benson township, assistants Fran¬ 
cisco and Kelly found the boundaries, as shown by the ancient 
marked trees, to be in a very complicated condition. No less than 
three marked corners- were found, each apparently the only true 
corner of the Benson township. 

The true corner was, at first, passed by the survey party. Follow¬ 
ing the ancient line of marked trees, they did not notice the inter¬ 
section of the west line of Benson, expecting to find it at the termi¬ 
nation of the old line. What was their surprise, therefore, when 
the long and difficult line at length brought them to the dead trunk 
of a mighty spruce, whose bark was covered with the “ honorable 
scars,”—which, like battle decorations, gave it dignity and value, 
above all the other aged trees,— to find that no proper system of lines 
cornered there. 

Thus they came to and rediscovered the very tree described in the 
original notes of the survey of Glen, Bleeker and Lansing’s purchase. 
This was the veritable tree referred to in the record signed by 
Simeon De Witt, dated Albany, October 27, 1794. 

“ All that certain tract of land situate in the County of Mont¬ 
gomery on the north side of the Mohawk river beginning at the 
“north-east corner of a tract of ninety-four thousand acres of land 
“ granted to Henry Glen and others, commonly called Jerseylield, 
“ at a spruce tree standing about two chains north from, a small 
“ lake and marked with a blaze , and two notches below on three sides , 
“ and the letters C. G. ; B. B. / A.; S. L. 1793.” * * * * * 

This was the tree, but it was not the north-east corner of the Jer- 
seyfield patent for the records and survey of the Jersyfield line had 
shown that this corner was in the “ little lake ” discovered by Isaac 
Yrooman. 

Yet, the field notes of Lawrence Yrooman, giving the original 
survey of this Benson township, begin . “ at the north-east corner of 
“a certain tract of land lately granted to Cornelius Glen and others” 
(the Glen, Bleeker and Lansing purchase), a and runs thence along 
“the same west 1230 chains to the north-east corner of a certain tract 
“of land commonly called Jerseyfield, being also the south-easterly 
“ corner of a certain patent lately granted to Jonathan Lawrence and 
“others, then along the same N. 30° E. 300 chains,” etc. 


on State Land Survey. 


115 


Thus Lawrence Yrooman is found to have believed, that the ad¬ 
jacent corners of the Jerseyfield, Lawrence, Benson and Glen, 
Bleeker and Lansing patents, were all at one and the same place, 
and that that place was the old spruce tree above described. 

Surveyors Francisco and Kelly now made careful search for the 
line, which Lawrence Yrooman speaks of, as having been run N. 
30 c E. in 1795. 

No line was to be found running North 30° East, from the ancient 
spruce tree ; nor, when due allowance had been made for the varia¬ 
tion of the needle to the westward since 1795, was any such line 
found. 

By going back eastward upon the old line, a distance of 3 chains 
and 56 links, Messrs. Francisco and Kelly at length found an old 
line extending north-eastward, which, when traced out, proved to be 
the west line of the Benson township, and the east line of the Law¬ 
rence tract. This line was found to have a magnetic course of N. 
35° E., which, allowing for an intervening period of ninety years, is 
apparently what the present bearing of the line should now be. On 
this line were found, not only old “ compass trees,” but lot corners 
made by the subdivision lines, coming in from either side according 
to maps of the old allotments. There was no question that this was 
the division line between the Benson and Lawrence tracts. 

A s this point is the location of the most important corner on the 
boundary between the Counties of Hamilton and Fulton, too much 
care could hardly be given to secure its accurate survey ; and strict 
search was, therefore, made to ascertain to a certainty the cause of 
this discrepancy between the ancient descriptions. 

This search was soon productive of results; a stake, surrounded 
by a heap of stones, was discovered on the west line of Benson 
and here a line was found to come in from the north-west , and 
corner on the Benson- Lawrence line. This line was traced and 
soon identified as the “ Brayhouse line,” which is the south line 
of the Lawrence allotment, but not the south line of the Lawrence 
tract , which is located on the north line of the Jerseyfield patent, 
to the southward 

Soon another corner, 1 chain and 54 links to the southward of the 
last one, was found. Here, also, was a stake, and stones. What 
corner this was the surveyors could not make out; and, to prevent 
any misunderstanding, a diagram was prepared, showing the lines 
and corners so far found. On this diagram, the corner last found 
was called corner C. On the same diagram, the location of the 


116 


Report of Yekplanck Colvin 


ancient spruce tree was denoted by the letter A ; the intersection of 
the south line of Benson with the west line of the same by 
B; and the corner found 1 chain and 53 links N. 33° E. on the 
division line between the Benson and Lawrence tracts, was denoted 
D. The last may be termed the “ Brayhouse corner,” 

The location of the corners is shown on the accompanying dia¬ 
gram. 

Distances. 

(1.) Jerseyfield line to the Brayhouse corner.*19.57 chains. 

(2.) Yrooman’s corner of Jerseyfield (in lake) to true 

Benson corner © Lake. ..to B.18.04 “ 

(3.) Benson corner (B) to the Brayhouse line corner 

(D) on diagram.1.53 “ 

(4.) Benson corner (B) to ancient spruce tree (now 

stone monument) A. 3.56 “ 

(5.) AtoD . 4.53 “ 

(6.) D to C... 1.54 “ 

The number of corners found, disconcerted the surveyors, and they 
wrote to the Superintendent, for instructions. Meanwhile, in ac¬ 
cordance with the general directions issued to them, at the com¬ 
mencement of their work, they replaced the old crumbling and de¬ 
caying spruce tree with a massive stone monument, and resumed 
their measurements along the west boundaries of the Benson town¬ 
ship. 

While this party had thus been busy, assistant Koetteritz, as 
heretofore detailed in the report on the J erseyfield line, had traced 
the original north boundary of the Jerseyfield patent, to its terminus 
in Yrooman’s lake, nearly twenty chains to the southward of the 
ancient spruce tree corner, described in the old records as the north¬ 
west corner of the Glen, Bleeker and Lansing patent. 

Thus the general facts, in regard to the actual location of the 
lines and corners of these great patents, had been ascertained. 

The study and comparison of these results would enable me to 
reach proper conclusions, and to briefly formulate, in words, the 
facts as found. 

As soon as I received Mr. Francisco’s report as to the results of 
work upon these lines I saw, at once, that the essential facts had been 
secured. I, therefore, directed the discontinuance of work in this 
section, and gave instructions to assistant Francisco, to take up the 
work in Palmer’s purchase, on the eastern boundary of the County 
of Hamilton. The boundaries of this purchase extend also into Sara- 


* In another place 27 chains, and another 30 chains. 












REPORT ON STATE LAND SURVEY 


FOR THE YEAR /884. 


NEW YORK STATE LAND SURVEY. 

VERPLANCK COLVIN, 

Superintendent. 

DIAGRAM 

SHOWING THE LOCATION OF THE 

CORNERS ^ 

OF THE 

JERSEYFIELD PATENT, LAWRENCE TRACT. 

BENSON TOWNSHIP, 

AND 

GLEN, BLEEKER AND LANSING PURCHASE. 


'''Sr 






\ 






X 


0 c 0 U N t/y 

\V/ ft • 

''' ' LOT N? /. 


vv 




_ r X T R A C T. / 
N C E- 

p 


/«$ 
'V 




'vfe> 


,<f BENSON 
X. /* V TOWNSHIP. 


zor >vp 30 . 


TZ 


c,VRUc e *S 6 CJISL«D 

C- A % JN $ 

SOP,,"' <X jS> /B &"°*THujcTr>^ 0 i'^L / ?£. 0 Z!Z**rfiro/vco 


2200 LBS. 





LITH. BY WEED. PARSONS & CO, ALB AN Y. N .Y 
































on State Land Survey. 117 

toga and Warren counties, and required settlement to protect the in¬ 
terests of the State. 

In the interval, between the transmittal of assistant Francisco’s re¬ 
port and the return of my dispatches, he continued the survey of the 
west bounds of the Benson township; carrying the line north-east¬ 
ward, until it crossed the Sacondaga river at Arietta. The line re¬ 
marked, and the corners of the lots replaced, this section of the work, 
ceased at the corner of lots, Nos. 90 and 143, near the foot of Sher¬ 
man mountain. The range of this line continued about N. 35° E. 
and little or no traces of local attractions were here observed. 

The accompanying map and diagram gives an accurate platting 
of the work done in this section. 

Conclusions. 

The result of the surveys made in the Benson township bring to 
light three ancient corners, at or near the south-west corner of that 
township ; and after consideration, I reach the following conclusions: 

(1.) The ancient spruce tree cannot be the corner, for it is neither 
the corner of Jersey held, nor does the west line of Benson come 
down to it, properly. 

(2.) The Brayhouse corner cannot be the south-west terminus of 
Benson, for the south line of the township does not run to it, if pro¬ 
duced westward. 

(3.) The indefinite corner (marked C on the diagram) is not the 
Benson corner, for it complies with none of the conditions govern¬ 
ing the location of that corner. 

It seems very likely that this is the corner of lots 62 and 63 
in the Glen, Bleeker and Lansing patent. 

Findings. 

As the results of these surveys, I find the following facts: 

I. 

That the south-west corner of the Benson township is not located 
at the north-east corner of the Jerseyfield patent, nor-do these pat¬ 
ents touch one another. 

II. 

That the ancient spruce tree was not the corner of Jerseyfield. 

III. 

That the south-west corner of the Benson township should be 
located at the point of intersection of the south and west lines at the 
stake whose location is denoted on the diagram as B. 


118 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


SECTION V. 

PALMER’S PURCHASE. 

HAMILTON, SARATOGA AND WARREN COUNTIES. 


Palmer's purchase is one of the oldest land-grants or patents in 
this portion of the State. On December 20, 1769, Thomas Palmer, 
on behalf of himself and certain others, petitioned the Governor of 
the Colony u praying that the governor purchase at their expense 
“ and in their name from the Indians, a tract of 46,000 acres of land 
“ in the County of Albany, on the north-west side of the south-west 
“ branch of Hudsons river.” (State land papers, 1769.) 

The Governor seems to have given them generous support, for on 
July 31, 1772, I find on record the original Indian deed to Thomas 
Palmer — not of 46,000 acres, but of 133,000 acres! (State land 
papers, vol. xxxii, p. 43.) 

This conveyance transferred to Thomas Palmer, Isaac Low, Dierk 
Lefferts, Peter Remsen, Robert Leake and their associates, all right 
and title possessed by the Indians to that mountainous, picturesque 
and densely forested district, whose southern limit is the north bank 
of the Sacondaga river, from a point a few miles west of its mouth, 
at Luzerne, up along the Sacondaga, to where the east line of Ber¬ 
gen’s purchase, produced southward, reaches the river; excepting 
two tracts adjacent to the river — one granted to Philip Livingston et 
at and the other to Christopher Yates and John Glen. The northern 
limit of Palmer’s purchase afterward became the south boundary 
of Totten and Crossfield’s purchase. The eastern limit was the Dart¬ 
mouth patent. 

The valuable forest trees in this great patent were, on the low¬ 
lands and along the rivers, hemlock and pine, and upon the uplands 
spruce. The deciduous forest trees were the red beech, yellow birch 




on State Land Survey. 119 

and several varieties of maple. The balsam, although abundant in 
some places, was not in those days considered of commercial import¬ 
ance, and is not now esteemed. 

The pine and spruce were valuable, and the purchasers, after 
securing title, divided the tract among themselves into several great 
lots. 

Three grand subdivisions were first made, extending entirely across 
the patent from the south-west to the north-east. The southernmost 
tier was called the “ River Division; ” next upon the north was the 
“ Middle Division; ” while the last tier of lots adjacent to Totten 
and Crossfield’s purchase was called the “Rear Division.” Each 
of these divisions was, in turn, subdivided into ‘‘great lots, ” b y 
Lawrence Vrooman, between the years 1785 and 1787. 

The survey was made, of course, after the fashion of the period, 
with magnetic compass and drag-chain. The river division was laid 
out in sixteen lots of unequal size ; the middle division into five lots, 
and the rear division into six great lots. 

This was the original subdivision. The “great lots” finally came 
into the hands of Thomas Palmer, Philip Livingston, Peter Remsen, 
and Dierk Lefferts. Several of the lots were retained by the State, 
and thus arose names for some of the “great lots” or tracts: the 
Livingston tract; the Leffert tract; the Remsen tract; Palmer’s lot; 
State lot, etc. The irregular distribution of the lots among the 
owners was probably owing to their being drawn by ballot. 

All of these tracts or lots are within the limits of the old Palmer’s 
purchase, and in different portions of the purchase are different “ State 
lots,” “ Palmer lots,” “ Livingston lots,” and “ Leffert lots.” This 
explanation should be borne in mind, to prevent any misunderstand¬ 
ing in regard to the particular lots, surveyed during 1883, in Palmer’s 
purchase. 

Historical associations, of the most interesting character, cluster 
around the records of this ancient patent. Obtained from the na¬ 
tive Indians, only after permission had been granted by the Court 
of St. James, under “His most gracious Majesties Royal proclama¬ 
tion ” the deed bears side by side with the signature of William 
Tryon, the last Royal Governor of the Colony, the Indian totem — 
the hieroglyphic turtle—all now alike in pale brown and faded 
ink; which alone attests the existence of the once haughty officers 
and chieftains. 

It was in the rear division of Palmer’s purchase that three of the 
most important political boundaries of the Colony of New York met 


1 




120 Report of Verplanck Colvin 

at oue common corner. Here the ancient counties of Tryon, Charlotte, 
and Albany came together, according to the quaint old map of Claude 
Joseph Sauthier; and here, in the dense, wild forest, the political 
changes which have swept over the country have only given new 
names to the political divisions and have left the ancient bounda¬ 
ries unaltered. The marked trees which separated the counties 
of Charlotte, Albany, and Tryon, (Royal names of Queen and 
Duke and provincial Governor,) still remain ; but are now the 
monuments of the slaughtered Warren ; and of Hamilton; and of 
the decisive battle field of Saratoga. 

The geographical position of this important corner was unknown. 
Upon its location depended the ownership of tracts of State land, 
not only in Palmer’s purchase, but to the northward; and the accu. 
rate platting of the maps of the counties, made it necessary to redis¬ 
cover this corner and connect it with the other survey lines. 

A still more important reason for a special survey in this ? section 
was the existence of disputed or duplicate boundaries, in Great 
lots 4 and 5, of Palmer’s purchase, immediately affecting sec¬ 
tions of State lands w r hich are covered with timber. Here, large 
lumbering companies were actively engaged on the adjacent lots 
owned by them, and a number of old and conflicting lines having 
been found, disputes had arisen between the private owners and the 
land agent appointed by the Comptroller. 

To settle the questions raised, I directed search to be made through 
the ancient records, and after an examination of the documentary 
evidence and hearing the views of the Comptroller’s officers, and 
of the owners of adjacent property, I found that the disagreement 
and the origin of the controversy could be traced back to a location 
in Great lot Ho. 4. 

On investigation, it appeared that after the allotment of the “ rear 
division ” of Palmer’s purchase into six great lots, a subsequent sub¬ 
allotment, and second sub-allotment had been made, while there was 
some evidence which went to prove that even a third sub-allotment 
had been more recently attempted, nearly upon the plan of the first, 
but with a slightly different location of the lines of each lot. 



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on State Land Survey. 


121 


The following figure will give an idea of the original patent 

1,128 chains. 


00 

G 

*3 

A 

N. 59° 20' E. 

Rear Division. 

o 




ss 

N 

Middle Division. 


rH 



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o 

River. 

Yates 


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Division. 







Glen 


Livingston! 

9,000 



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to 


Sacondaga River. 


This shows Palmer’s purchase as surveyed by Lawrence Vrooman ; 
not including Bergen’s purchase, as Claude Joseph Sauthier shows 
it, erroneously, upon his map; for the last mentioned tract was ex¬ 
pressly excepted from Palmer’s purchase in the Indian deed, and 
has not at any time since been included therein. 

The location of the six great lots in the “rear division” of Pal¬ 
mer’s purchase, will be best understood from the accompanying dia¬ 
gram : 

N. 59° 20' E.; 1,128 chains. 


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6 

5 

4-> 

4 

3 

2 

1 

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Thomas 



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Palmer. 





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893.30 chains. 


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S 234.00 


The complications were found to exist in lots 4 and 5 of this rear 
division. 

On January 10th, 1789, Lawrence Vrooman filed in the office of 
the Secretary of State, at Albany, a map showing the extension of 
his surveys in Palmer’s purchase. This map shows great lots 4 and 
5, of the rear division; lot Ho. 4 now subdivided into seventeen 
lots numbered from No. 8 to No. 23. 

The question naturally arises, why'does the allotment begin with 
No. 8 ? Further examination shows that this allotment begins in Great 
let 6, at the north-west corner of the patent. Three long narrow 
[Assem. Doc. No. 126.] 16 

























122 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


lots are shown in the north part of Great lot 6 ; the south part con¬ 
tains 4 lots numbered southward 4, 5, 6 and 7 (each 73.05 cli. -J- 143.72 
chains) and a small strip marked H. T. P. (4.63 cli. -f-143.72 ch.) 

Thus, passing over Great lot No. 5, the old allotment numbers reach 
Great lot number 4, at sub-lot 8; the seven preceding lots being 
all in Great lot No. 6, as shown in the annexed diagram of the 


1st sub-allotment. 



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o 

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<x> 


-t-J 

p 

o 

m 


m 

□ 

'5 

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3 

3 

c* 


a 

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S3 

43 

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We might think that the subdivision of lot No. 4 had now reached 
sufficiently small areas for the purposes of the original proprietors or 
of lumbermen — but such is not the case. 

We next find sub-lot No. 8 in Great lot 4, re-subdivided into 10 
minor lots, of about 105 acres each. 

Still later, we find that certain purchasers of these lands conclude 
to make still another subdivision of the north part of Great lot No. 
4. The second allotment had made this eight (8) long lots; No. 8, 
9, 10,11,12,13,14 and the H. T. P. lot. Lest any should be puzzled 
by the interpretation of the H. T. P., I would explain that it means 
“ heirs of Thomas Palmer.” 

The last allotment of the north part of Great lot No. 4 proposed 
the partition of the H. T. P u lot among the seven other lots (Nos. 8 
to 14). This would leave but seven lots in the north part of the 
Great lot. 

Inasmuch as lands in this district were now more valuable than in 
the days w T hen the original survey was made, discussion arose as to 
the actual dimensions of the II. T. P. lot, and of the entire great 































on State Land Survey. 


123 


lot No. 4. The State was interested in any change or modification 
of the lines, being the owner of lots 9 and 15, as well as of numer¬ 
ous adjacent tracts, dependent upon the location of the boundaries 
of Palmer’s purchase. 

An examination of the lines was attempted by an agent of the 
Comptroller, and by the private owners, and some additional lines 
met with which complicated the matter still more. Such, I found, 
after investigation, was the condition of these several questions at the 
time they were referred to me for settlement. 

Upon the close of work on the boundaries of the Benson township, 
I directed assistant Francisco to assemble a survey party to proceed 
to the north bounds of Palmer’s purchase ; and retrace that line until 
the original corners of the Great lots therein should be found. This 
done, he was to measure the length and breadth of Great lot No. 4 
and, from such measured line as a base, trace out all conflicting 
lines, and locate the true position and ascertain the true area of the 
State lands. 

The survey party was assembled and the work commenced on the 
8th of October. On the 9th they succeeded in finding the east line 
of lot 15 in Great lot No. 4, of Palmer’s purchase, and traced it 
northward to a birch tree which was found properly marked and 
“ witnessed,” by ancient blazes upon the surrounding trees. This 
ancient corner tree was found upon the north bank of a small brook, 
which winds among the hills until it joins the outlet of Wilcox lake 
stream, and thence by the East Stony creek descends to the Sacon- 
daga. 

The first measurements were made along the eastern bounds of 
this lot. The ancient line, though difficult to trace, was fully 
identified, and found to have a bearing of S. 26° 30' E., showing a 
variation from the original bearing of 4° 10 (or 250') to the west¬ 
ward since 1789. This was about what the change in declination 
should be in that locality since the original survey was made. The 
length of this lot was found to be 274 chains and 38 links, or 0 chains 
and 19 links less than the original survey. In conducting these 
measurements still another system of allotment was discovered, sub¬ 
lot No. 16 being again sub-divided into lots of about 28 chains and 
14 chains width alternately. At 128 chains the outlet of New lake 
was reached, and at 172 chains and 84 links the north bank of the 
East Stony creek was measured to. 

At 225 chains and 8 links south from the birch-tree corner, the 
ancient line between the provincial counties of Tryon and Charlotte 


124 


Report of Yerplanck Colvin 


was discovered, having a bearing of South 4° 3(/ West. This line 
could only be found upon the oldest trees. One large spruce was 
found bearing three sets of marks, attesting the importance of the 
boundary. Here the last line of lot 15 passes from the present 
county of Hamilton into Warren county. 

Crossing a balsam swamp, and some hills that sloped to the westward 
the surveyors at 253 chains and 44 links reached another ancient 
line, which was found to have a bearing of S. 85° 30' E. This line, 
after careful examination, was identified as the boundary between 
the counties of Saratoga and Warren — the ancient north line of the 
county of Albany separating it from that of Charlotte. 

It was evident that they were not far from the point of intersec¬ 
tion of the two ancient lines; and on the following morning a search 
was made for the ancient corner. 

The two ancient lines, when retraced, led the survey party into a 
thick balsam swamp, rich with deep sphagnous moss, which grew 
luxuriantly in the solemn shade of the stately fir trees. Here, at a 
huge hemlock tree, the ancient lines met. The old tree was rugged 
and healthy still, and lifted its graceful evergreen foliage high above 
the slender balsams. On its robust trunk, which, though gray and 
seamed with age, showed by its firm, ruddy bark its vigorous vitality, 
the ancient marks were found. Upon the encircling trees the old 
witness marks were seen — now so deeply ingrown as to carry that 
delight to the heart of the skilled surveyors, that the litterateur 
experiences at the discovery of some long-lost mediaeval manuscript. 

But this tree was not a manuscript; it was the same living thing 
that in its youth had sheltered moose and caraboo, and might still 
guard the slumbers of bear, panther and deer. This tree was young, 
indeed, when savage men hacked down trees with stone axes upon 
the banks of the “river of the Mohigans,” and the shores of the 
“ Lac de Iroquois.” It still bore the scars which the agents of the 
proud provincial governor had marked upon it. It was the corner 
which Claude Joseph Sauthier had shown upon his “ Chorographical 
Map of the Provence of New York.” The breeze had whispered 
softly among its boughs during the horrors of the French and Indian 
war; it had bathed in the sunshine and calm of the wilderness during 
the long and fierce struggles of the revolution. Soldiers, statesmen 
and orators had passed away, but the grand old hemlock still remained 
full of vigorous, joyous life. 

The tree is so thrifty, and by its location in a swamp is deemed so 
secure from any forest fire, that it will remain — if untouched by 


on State Land Survey. 


125 


the axe — intact for many years, a living monument. It is situated 
upon the State lands in the south part of sub-lot No. 15 in Great lot 4 
of Palmer’s purchase, and should he religiously guarded, not onty as 
one of the most important land corners, but as an historical relic of 
surpassing interest. Its location is shown upon the accompanying 
map. 

Time fails to give all the details of these interesting measurements. 
Let it suffice to say that the length of sub-lot 15 (south tier) was 
found by assistant Francisco to be 274 chains and 38 links. The 
length of lot 9 in the north tier was found to be 243 chains and 63 
links. The width of great lot 4, including the H. T. P. lot, was 
found to be 335 chains and 20 links. The widths of these lots, as 
originally given in the deeds thereof (see, also, records of balloting, 
Field-book 16, Sub. F., Secretary of State’s office), were for lots 8 to 
14, originally “48.104 ” chains, and no H. T. P. lot was made. This 
was changed by agreement of the proprietors to 44 chains and 58 
links, and the II. T. P. lot was then created in order to conform the 
subdivision to what Lawrence Yrooman had shown upon his map, 
but had not located on the ground. The II. T. P. lot was intended 
by the orignal proprietors to have made, 24 chains and 64 links wide. 
The original allotments, 8 to 14 having a width of 48 chains and 
“ lO-j 3 ^” links, were found by Mr. Francisco to have been actually 
run, and the old marked trees being cut into, and the annual rings of 
growth counted, proved to have an age of 94 or 95 years. Lawrence 
Vrooman’s fieldnotes are dated October, 1788, and the identification 
of the line (both by the marks found and the documentary evidence) 
is complete. The second subdivision of the north part of Great 
lot 4 into eight lots, including H. T. P., as proposed by the pro¬ 
prietors, and as now held by owners under the old deeds, was 
never actually made and their theory was indeed impossible. The 
width of the north half of Great lot No. 4 is 335.20 chains. Law¬ 
rence Yrooman thought it was 336.74 chains, and after planning to 
divide it into seven lots, each “ 48.10*- ” chains wide, (and thus really 
consuming the whole of the 336.74 chains), he proposed to put in 
narrow H. T. P. lot 24.64 chains wide. This is, of course impossi¬ 
ble and absurd. In carrying out the present survey, Mr. Francisco 
and his assistants, although searching carefully and constantly, found 
no lines, except the ancient boundaries already described; the lines 
of the patent and of the lots, 48.104. chains wide which lot lines are 
now discarded under recent sales. These ancient lines were carefully 
remarked and the true distances between them determined. 


126 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


Making the H. T. P. a proportional part of the subdivisions of 
Great lot 4, the true width of each of the said lots, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 
12, was found to he 44 chains and 39 links; lots 13 and 14 were 
each 44 chains and 40 links in width ; and the H. T. P. lot was 
found to have a width of 24 chains and 45 links. 

The complication and difficulty was found to exist at the junction 
of the sub-lots 8, 9,15 and 16. Here sub-lot 16 of the southern tier 
in Great lot 4 was found to have been run northward over the 
ancient centre line of the Great lot, by some parties unknown, so as 
to overlap upon the State lands in lot 9 a distance of 23 chains, thus 
abstracting over 100 acres from every sub-lot in the north tier of 
Great lot 4. 

The original survey of these sub-lots by Lawrence VTooman makes 
each of the lots in this north tier 235 chains and 43 links long. The 
overlap discovered, would reduce the length of these lots to 212 
chains and 70 links, and increase the length of the lots in the south 
tier of Great lot 4 in the same proportion. By my direction, assist-, 
ant Francisco searched for and found the south line of Great lot 4. 
He then measured the entire length of the Great lot on a magnetic 
bearing of N. 26° 30 7 E.; which he found would best retrace the 
ancient line of marked trees; and found it to measure 518 chains 
and 1 link. 

The length of Great lot 4 by the ancient survey was 516 chains. 
The lot was, therefore, found to be two chains longer by the new 
survey than was recorded by Vrooman upon his map. On this map 
the sub-lots in the north tier are recorded, as above mentioned, as 
being 235 chains and 43 links long. As the length of the Great 
lot is found to agree within 2 chains, there can be no foundation for 
the line which would reduce them to but 212 chains and 70 links. 

The right of private parties to sub-allot their property may not 
be questioned ; but the shifting of the subdivision line of the north 
and south tiers to what — if it is any thing— can be only considered 
a recent second sub-allotment line, cannot be made to affect whole 
lots owned by the State ; nor can such second sub-line be extended 
across them, so as to cut off, reduce, govern or limit any portion of 
the property of the State, or of other lots whose owners do not ac¬ 
cept such change. 

Conclusions. 

The original line survey seems to have been made with care and 
accuracy; little attention being given to the topography, as the work 


on State Land Survey. 127 

was merely intended for the subdivision of property. The investi¬ 
gation shows: 

(1.) That Great lot No. 4 was actually subdivided on the ground 
as shown by Vrooman on his map dated January 10th, 1789; the 
old marked trees being found, except that the H. T. P. lot was not 
made; the seven lots (8 to 14) extending over and covering the 
whole of the north part of Great lot No. 4. 

(2.) That the original survey made the length of Great lot 4 in 
Palmer’s purchase 516 chains. 

(3.) That this Great lot was divided into north and south tiers; 
the lots in the north tier being, intended to be 235.43 chains long 
and in the south tier 280.57 chains long. 

(4.) That the width of Great lot 4, by the old chain measurement 
was 336.74 chains. 

Findings. 

The investigations and measurements disclose the following mate¬ 
rial facts: 

I. 

t 

That the original north and south lines of Great lot No. 4 
still exist marked upon the trees, and that the length of said Great 
lot, between said lines, is 518.01 chains. 

IT. 

That the width of said Great lot 4 is 335.20 chains, including 
the sub-lot H. T. P. 

III. 

That, if the allotment as originally proposed be maintained, 
the width of the lots, in round numbers, will be between 44.39 
chains and 44.40 chains. (To avoid carrying the widths to intermi¬ 
nable decimals it is suggested that lots 8 to 12 each be made 44.39 
chains wide; lots 13 and 14 each 44.40 chains wide,) and the lot H. 
T. P. will be 24.45 chains wide, and that each of these lots in the 
north tier, be 243.63 chains long. 

IV. 

That the lots in the south tier do not lap over upon those in 
the north tier 23 chains; but have a length of 274.38 chains. 


128 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


SECTION VI. 

TOTTEN AND CROSSFIELD’S PURCHASE 


AND 

MOOSE RIVER TRACTS 

WEST CANADA LAKES. 


Time is so limited that only the briefest statement can be given of 
the measurements made in this very interesting district. 

Toward the middle of October, it became evident, that the loca¬ 
tion of the boundaries of Township No. 3, of Totten and Cross¬ 
field’s purchase, would be needed to perfect the maps to be made of 
the State lands therein, which amount to upwards of 20,000 acres. 
As the Adirondack winter sets in very early — snows beginning to 
fall in October even on the lowlands in the central portion of Ham¬ 
ilton county — the Superintendent directed Mr. Francisco, about the 
20th of October, to defer the completion of work on the Palmer’s 
purchase lines, and make an immediate survey of such portions of 
the lines of Township No. 3, as would serve to locate the south-west¬ 
erly and north-westerly corners thereof. He was also instructed to 
connect certain points on the east line of township No. 8 of the 
Moose River tract, (located by Mr. Davis and party in 1SS2,) with 
definite points upon the shores of the West Canada lakes — which 
are immediately adjacent to the westward of the line in question. 
By this means, the line would be connected with the most prominent 
features of the topography of the country, and be easily discovered 
and retraced in the future. 

The West Canada lakes are situated in the wild district, at the 



on State Land Survey. 


129 


head waters of the West Canada creek; which here has its source; 
and descends from an elevation of 2,348 feet, over many a rift and 
rapid, to the famous Trenton falls. 

It was from the West Canada Lakes in July, 1882, that the failure 
of provisions had compelled us to return northward to our base of 
supplies. Nearly a dozen beautiful bodies of water, here cluster 
among the hills; the dense forest enclosing them on every side. 
Deer and trout are abundant. The bear is not infrequently met 
with, and the panther, in this vicinity, finds many a lonesome glade 
where he may roam undisturbed. 

The surveys which I had made m 1882 had proved that these lakes 
were not located in Totten and Crossfield’s purchase, as had been 
often supposed, but in the Moose river tract. It was proposed by 
the present survey, to connect these lakes by measured offsets with 
the boundaries retraced the preceding fall, and to connect the to¬ 
pographical work with the land lines. 

On October 23d, assistant Francisco, with his party, set out for 
the West Canada’s via the Cedar lakes, accompanied by a sufficient 
force of guides and packmen. Being heavily loaded with blankets, 
provisions and instruments, the party was compelled to go into camp 
the first night at Grass brook. October 25th the party reached the 
lakes, crossing the Cedars by the light boats of the guides. The 
West Canada’s were reached in time to enable the party to plan the 
manner in which the lines should be measured, and the triangulation 
of the East lake made. “ Ice formed rapidly on the inlet of the lake 
to-night, and the prospect of the closing of the lakes behind us? 
made us resolve to hasten work with all possible speed.” 

Friday morning, October 26th, showed the ground covered with 
snow. The snow continued to fall all day but, notwithstanding the 
disagreeable nature of the dav, the measurements were at once com- 
menced. The west line of township No. 3 was discovered, and bear¬ 
ing N. 27° W. and traced northward from a stream, which proved 
to be the inlet of the East lake. Five chains north of this inlet a 
balsam tree was marked, as the initial point (A) of the offset 
line to the lakes. The offset was found to pass over difficult ground, 
u for the most part through a thickly grown Alder swamp, which 
“ greatly impeded progress, as a line had to be cut all the way for 
“ accurate chaining.” This line crossed the inlet of the lake five 
times. It was run on a bearing of S. 63° W. and reached the shore 

of the east lake, at station B, 65.57 chains from the initial point. 

[Assem. Doc. No. 126.] 17 


130 


Report of Yerplanck Colvin 


Here a base line was measured, and the length of die East lake 
found, by triangulation, to be 39.57 chains to station D, on the west 
shore, as shown on the map. 

October 28th, starting from station D, the distance of the South 
Lake was determined in a similar manner; as shown on the accom¬ 
panying map; and the local topography sketched. 

October 29th the line to the Great or Middle West Canada Lake, 
was measured to, and the length of the lake found by triangulation, 
from a base measured at the east end. Station G, at the east end 
of the lake, was located on a huge rock, called by the guides the 
“ Devil’s Chair.” The length of this lake is 55.04 chains. The 
water is deep and clear, and the shores rocky and picturesque. It is 
the only lake of the group which contains both lake and brook trout. 
The forest here is remarkably beautiful, the black spruce growing 
thriftily and but few dead trees to be seen. 

The declination of the needle at the middle West Canada lake, I 
had determined on July 9tli, 1882, at the station shown on the east 
shore on the map, and found it to be 9° 54'.2 West of true North. 
The ancient lines in this section show a change from the original 
bearing of about 3° of arc. This would make the magnetic decli¬ 
nation at the time in which the Totten and Crossfield townships were 
laid out in the year 1772, about 7° West of true north. 

October 30th work was resumed at the north-west end of the Mid¬ 
dle lake, with the intention of running a line across the divide, be¬ 
tween the waters of the West Canada and the Moose river, to the 
small pond known as Brook-trout lake. Here, the assistant was at a 
loss how to proceed, not knowing in what direction to run his line. 
Consulting his guide, Sturgess, he was shown a tall tree upon a dis¬ 
tant mountain slope and advised to run the line upon that bearing, 
as that would bring him to the Brook-trout lake at the terminus of 
the trail near a little inlet on the east shore. The line was run in 
accordance with the advice of the guide, and struck the lake shore 
less than half a chain from the place desired. The marvelous 
knowledge of woodscraft which these men of the forest possess, 
could not be better shown than by this example ; the guide did not 
know the bearing, nor did he know the distance, but he knew which 
way to go and how to get there. 

It is needless to dwell upon the other measurements, the results 
of which are sufficiently shown upon the map of the West Canada 
lake region. The character of the country and lands in this section 
have been heretofore described. The topographical work was hast- 


on State Land Survey. 


131 


ened as soon as the connection of the takes with the west line of 
township 3 had been made, for the snow was increasing in depth, 
and the lakes would soon close with ice. The location of the State 
lands in the western part of township No. 3, is shown upon the map. 
The boundaries of this township can never be lost hereafter, as re¬ 
verse measurements from the lake shores will at any time redeter 
mine them. 

Township No. 3, is located on the western boundary of Totten and 
Crossfield's purchase six miles in an air line northward of Lake Pleas¬ 
ant. The outer bounds of the township w r ere marked in 1772, by 
Archibald Campbell, who made the east and west bounds each 567 
chains and 60 links in length (N. 30° W.) and the north and south 
bounds 418 chains (N. 60° E.) 

The bearings of the lines were found to have changed since 1772, 
and were now N. 27° W. and N. 63° E. respectively. The annual 
change seems to have been less in this district than in the region to 
the southward in the vicinity of the settlements. This suggests the 
possibility that the clearing away of forests changes the location of 
the isogonic lines, which are probably dependent upon the lines of a 
mean terrestrial temperature. A further survey of this township is 
desirable, especially the location of the north line. Lumbering com¬ 
panies have now cut roads to the valuable pine and spruce forest in 
township No. 4, next adjacent on the north, and the location of the 
boundaries of the State lands should be made while the old timber 
remains uncut in order to avoid future vexatious complications. 

No disputed or conflicting lines were found in this district. Some 
random lines, made by compass surveyors searching for the ancient 
boundaries exist, but were so recent as to cause no confusion. The 
work in this section was, therefore, simple, and was rapidly exe¬ 
cuted, and calls for no discussion. 

The location of the large tracts owned by the State in the heart of 
Hamilton county had already been partially executed during the 
progress of the Adirondack Survey. Raquette lake and township 
No. 40, were reached in 1882, and the measurements then made have 
already been described and need not be repeated here. Indeed, time 
and means only permitted the settlement of those boundaries which 
were in dispute and required immediate survey. 


132 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


SECTION VII. 

ESSEX COUNTY. 

OLD MILITARY TRACT ; (SOUTH PART ;) TOTTEN AND 
CROSSFIELD’S PURCHASE ; (NORTH AND EAST 
BOUNDS;) ROARING BROOK TRACT, etc. 


The State lands in the County of Essex, preceding the tax sale of 
1881, had an area of 133,147 acres. In 1881, additional lands to 
the extent of 25,690 acres, were acquired by the State; making the 
total area of public lands in this county, at the present time, 179,137 
acres. 

These lands are nearly all located in the wildest and most moun¬ 
tainous portion of the county, and in these remote sections are, gen¬ 
erally, well timbered. The greater portion of the State lands, in 
the southern portion of the county, are located in townships 16, 26 
and 27 of Totten and Crossfield’s purchase. The location of the 
joint corners of Townships 16, 18, 26 and 27 and of 26, 27, 30 and 
46, was made in 1880, and the discoveries then made and methods 
and results of work, have already been described in a former report 
to the Legislature. 

Having studied the location of all the several tracts of State land 
in this county, I found that the localities, which now required most 
immediate attention, were in the central portion of the county, in 
North Elba, Keene and Elizabethtown. Here, the boundaries of the 
land patents were involved in obscurity, owing to the overlapping of 
one system of land surveys upon another. 

The earliest land grants in this portion of the State, were the 
French Seignories. Vermont and northern New York were then, 
as far south as “ Lac St. Sacrement,” under the domination of the 
soldiery of Louis XV. Of all the grants made by the French Crown, 
the great Seignories of Hocquart and Alainville, can alone be defi¬ 
nitely traced. With the conquest of Canada, the French grants 
were swept away and a new policy was inaugurated. A great num- 



on State Land Survey. 


133 


ber of the early English grants were made to officers and soldiers of 
the French and Indian war. Hardly had this been done when the 
Colony was in the midst of the convulsions of the Revolution; and 
it was not until peace had been secured and the State government 
established, that the boundaries of property in this region began to 
assume any fixed condition. 

In the southern and western portion of the County of Essex, the 
outlines of a number of the townships of Totten and Crossfield’s 
purchase, and adjacent tracts, had been marked by the Colonial sur¬ 
veyors. North of that purchase, within the territory conquered from 
the French, existed a great extent of forest land, lately the property 
of the northern or Algonquin Indian tribes, and in 1786, the State 
government sent its surveyors to run out the bounds of a tract pro¬ 
posed to be given to the revolutionary soldiers in compensation for 
their services. 

Thus arose what is now known as the “ Old Military tract,” in¬ 
tended to contain some 610,000 acres, but actually reaching an area 
of upwards of three-quarters of a million of acres. 

I have given, in a former report, a detailed account of the redis¬ 
covery and location of the south boundary of this great patent, and 
the work accomplished in this section, during 1883, can be sufficiently 
understood without again explaining the means by which the lines of 
the Old Military tract were rediscovered and their location ascertained. 

It is only necessary in the present report to specify the particular 
tracts of State lands which were located by survey during the past 
season, and to give such explanation as will prevent any misunder¬ 
standing in the future. 

It is therefore proper to state, without further explanation, that 
the Old Military tract was based upon a line run from a point in the 
town of Westport, near the shore of Lake Champlain, being a cor¬ 
ner established by Zephiniah Platt in 1786; which was the initial 
point of the survey made by Cornelius Tappen in 1787. 

Tappen measured from this corner a line due west as the magnetic 
needle pointed in that year; and, having run out a distance of ten 
miles, made a right angle and commenced to mark a line of trees for 
the east boundary of the Old Military tract. This line was extended 
to the frontier of Canada in latitude 45° north, and forms the east¬ 
ern boundary of Township No. 5, in Clinton county, heretofore dis< 
cussed. 

The Old Military tract was subdivided into twelve townships ; the 
two southernmost being townships No. 1 and No. 12. 


134 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


It was in township No. 1 that the complication arose, which gave 
me so much difficulty in settling these boundaries in the spring of 
1881. The monuments then set and lines established, greatly 
facilitated the present work. 

Township No. 1 is the south-east corner of the Old Military tract, 
but no longer exists in its original and complete form. 

In 1817, a new tract was laid out under the direction of the Sur¬ 
veyor-General, Simeon De Witt, and was intended to include the 
mountainous district along the boundary between Keene and Eliza¬ 
bethtown. This new subdivision was, for lack of any better name 
called the Roaring-brook tract, after the numerous swift mountain 
streams which descend noisily from this great mountain mass. Here 
rise the lofty peaks of the Giant mountain, Green mountain, Iron 
mountain, Bald mountain, and Round mountain, to heights of from 
3,000 to 4,500 feet above the sea. 

The survey of this so-called Roaring-brook tract was made by S. 
D. Kellogg, Deputy Surveyor on behalf of the State during the 
season of 1817, and extended northward from the North River Head 
tract, so as to include and cover a great portion of Township No. 1, 
in the Old Military tract. Thus two sets of lines, one superimposed 
upon and above the other came to exist, and confusion was created, 
which has lasted down to the present day. 

In the very midst of this Roaring-brook tract, the State owns 
twenty-seven large lots of forest land ; and report was made to me 
that trespasses had been committed upon other State lands to the 
westward on the Old Military tract; all being in the vicinity of Keene 
Yalley, now one of the greatest summer resorts in the Adirondack 
region. 

An examination of the original maps of the allotment of the 
Roaring brook tract, showed that the numbering of the lots was dif¬ 
ferent from that shown upon Burr’s official map — the State assess¬ 
ment atlas — and it was found that neither the Comptroller nor the 
State Engineer and Surveyor, had any records which would show the 
true location of these lots, with regard to the topography. 

It was important to ascertain how near the settlements of Keene 
these lands were actually located, and to mark their boundaries and 
ascertain whether trespasses had actually been committed and valuable 
timber removed. I, therefore, directed Mr. G. L. Locke, who had 
been for many years engaged in retracing ancient boundary lines in 
the forests of Essex county, to proceed to Keene valley and take up 
the resurvey of the lands in question. 


on State Land Survey. 


135 


The numerous signal stations located in this section by the Adi¬ 
rondack Survey, now proved of the greatest value. The State lands 
being in detached parcels, each group of lots could be surveyed sepa¬ 
rately, and located by measurements made to the nearest signal sta¬ 
tion ; then, as the distances and true azimuths from signal to signal 
were known, the true geographical positions of the several tracts of 
State land were immediately obtained, without incurring the enor¬ 
mous labor and expense of detailed measurements, extending lot by 
lot through all the intervening private lands. The connection of 
the allotments with the signal stations, by triangulation, was intrusted 
to assistant Blake, whose acquaintance with the locality and the po¬ 
sition of the signals, made him especially available in this department. 

The field work in this district was taken up early in July, and 
was continued until the twelfth of October, when the complications 
affecting the boundaries of the State lands had been cleared away 
and monuments set at the important corners. Mr. Blake remained 
until the middle of November upon the summits of the high peaks, 
perfecting the connection of the detached tracts by triangulation. 

The lots located m the Boaring-brook tract were 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 
41, 42, 48, 50, 51, 57, 58, 59, 65 and 66 of State lands. In search¬ 
ing out the outlines of these lots the boundaries of the following 
private lots were also located, viz. : 37,40, 49, 52, 60, 61, 67, 69 and 

The position of these lots and the location of the corners and 
monuments are given upon the accompanying maps. 

The signal stations on the Giant mountain, and Hopkin’s peaks, 
were measured to from the lines of the lots, and the connection of 
the State lands with the triangulation of the interior thus secured. 
The returns of these measurements have only recently been made. 
They will be reduced at an early day, and the geographical posi¬ 
tions of each of the several lots or tracts of State land, and of the 
corners thereof, will be computed and transmitted in a future report. 

Upon the completion of work in the Boaring-brook tract, the loca¬ 
tion of the State lands to the westward in the Old Military tract, 
was taken up. Surveys were made of lots 65, 69 and 93 in Town¬ 
ship No. 1, and the trespasses which had been reported to me were 
found on lot 93. 

Lot 93 is located on a branch of John’s brook not far from the 
settlement of Keene Yalley. Timber had been methodically cut on 
a section in the north part of this lot and removed to the settlement 
for sale. This trespass, as soon as located, was reported to the Comp¬ 
troller. 


136 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


The time at my disposal, within which this report must be ren¬ 
dered, will not admit of entering into the details of these measure¬ 
ments. Upon the completion of the survey and location of the 
State lands in Township No. 1, the measurements were extended 
westward along the north line of Totten and Crossfield’s purchase. 
This line is here, also, the south line of the Old Military tract, and 
upon it as a base the location of the public lands in Township No. 
12 (O. M, T.) was begun. The line thus run determines the south¬ 
east corner of Township No. 12, and the south line of the State 
lots 4 and 5 in Township 12, (O. M. T.) The line was carefully 
measured across Keene Valley, over the Wolf-Jaw range, across the 
head of John’s brook valley, and thence westward over the high ridges 
near Table-top mountain and Mt. Phelps, terminating near the trail 
from Mt. Marcy northward to Clear pond. The old lines of marked 
trees were carefully traced in every instance, and the corners set only 
at the intersection of original lines. 

The variation of the needle upon the old subdivision or allotment 
lines in the Roaring-brook tract, was found to be 3° 30' to the west¬ 
ward, since 1817, or 210 7 of arc in the interval of 66 years. This 
would indicate a mean annual change in the declination of 3'. 18 to 
the west, for this section of the Adirondack region. 

The declination of the needle was observed on the meridian line, 
determined at Keene Valley, and was found to be 11° 32'.6 west of 
true north on August 1st, 18S3. Using the observations on the 
meridian line of Keene Valley as the standard for comparison with 
the lines of the adjacent tracts, it is apparent that in 1817, the mag¬ 
netic declination was 8° west of true north. 

While this is true for localities adjacent eastward of the meridian 
line, the variation on lines to the westward is found to be slightly 
different, and is computed at 3 .85 per year since 1813, which is the 
date of the allotment by John Richards of Townships No. 1 and No. 
2. The north and south lines of these lots had a magnetic bearing 
in 1813, of North 0° 30' West. They have now a bearing of North 
4° 00' East, showing a change in 70 years of 270' and 2 T 7 F 0 ' = 3/.85, 
the apparent average rate of annual change along the lines of the 
townships referred to. 

Time does not admit of a more extended discussion of work in 
this section. The results are shown more particularly upon the maps 
of the lots and lines surveyed, hereto attached. The accompanying 
diagram shows the manner in which the ancient surveys are super¬ 
imposed. 


VIEW NORTHWARD TOWARDS ELLENBURGH. PANTHER MOU NTAI N-ELLEN BU RGH MT, 


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on State Land Survey. 


137 


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OLD MILITARY 
Township 11. 


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Had it not been for the thorough examination given this section 
in former years by the Adirondack Survey, the location of these 
State lands would have been extremely difficult. The surveyors sent 
into this section, through their previous experience with me in 
searching out the adjacent lines, were able to take up the work intel¬ 
ligently and promptly. 

The location and character of the State lands in the County of Es¬ 
sex can be better understood from the accompanying illustrations (see 
crayon drawings,) than from a technical description, lot by lot. The 
view from Mt. Hurricane, shows the entire mountainous region from 
the eastern slopes of the Giant mountain range to Whiteface moun¬ 
tain. It gives the location of Iron mountain, Green mountain, Mt. 
Moriah, Giant mountain, Knoblock mountain, Pitchoff: mountain, 
MaComb’s mountain, Mt. Dix, Hunter’s pass, Hippie Top, Dial moun¬ 
tain, Elk pass, AuSable pass, Sawtooth mountain and all the mass 
of the Gothic mountains w T ith Basin mountain, Mt. Haystack and 
Mt. Tahawus towering above all. 

Below is shown the location of the pleasant and sheltered valley 
of Keene, and around to the westward, against the horizon, Mt. 
Colden and the MacIntyre range, with great Slide mountain, Mt. 
Porter, Sable mountain, Long Pond mountain, Keene mountain, 
MacKenzie mountain and Whiteface complete the picture. 

The toils experienced by the survey parties in climbing from 
range to range, cannot be understood or conceived even by an in¬ 
spection of these drawings. The tangled mass of fallen timber in 
the forests; the ledges to be climbed ; the cold wet moss; the fre¬ 
quent storms and exposure must be felt to be understood. 

[Assem. Doc. Ho. 126.] 18 

















138 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


SECTION VIII. 


FRANKLIN COUNTY. 


MACOMB’S PURCHASE AND THE NORTH WEST BOUND¬ 
ARY OF THE OLD MILITARY TRACT. 


The State lands in the county of Franklin have an area of 160,121 
acres. The greater portion of these lands lie to the southward of the 
north line of the town of Duane, and are consequently within the 
limits of the area included by the lines between the trigonometrical 
stations of the Adirondack Survey from Owl-crest, De Bar mountain 
and Mt. Azure on the north ; St. Regis mountain and Mt. Amper¬ 
sand in the central portion of the county, and signal stations on Mt. 
Morris and Mt. Seward in the southern part of the county. The bound¬ 
aries had been, therefore, already sufficiently determined to enable 
me to prepare a land map of the county, showing the location 
of the tracts owned by the State. The details of topography, over a 
large portion of the wilderness, in this section will, nevertheless, re¬ 
quire years of hard, conscientious labor, if worked out with exactness. 
This district contains a multitude of small lakes which cannot be lo¬ 
cated by triangulation. 

The minutia which tourists, fishermen, sportsmen and travelers 
who now throng the wilderness in summer desire upon the maps, 
would require the work of hundreds of survey parties if every 
stream, rill, runway or undulating ridge or marsh or pond be lo¬ 
cated throughout these thousands of square miles of forest. Our work 
has been confined to the more important lines, and the present sur¬ 
vey of the State lands has called for the location of boundaries in 
the first instance, and renders the sketching of the topography and 
the location and mapping of lakes, ponds and swamps, necessarily, 
a secondary matter. 



I 


on State Land Survey. 139 

The investigation of the condition of the boundaries of tracts 
owned by the State, in Franklin County showed me, that the peculiar 
complications which existed in the counties of Fulton, Hamilton and 
Herkimer, did not exist in this district. 

It is creditable to the backwoods inhabitants, of this county, also, 
that no such system of timber depredation exists as was reported to 
me from the previously mentioned counties. 

The principal cases which require attention in this county are the 
lands in which the State holds an undivided interest, acquired by tax 
sales. 

The private owners — partners with the State — in such cases, at 
times experience great hardships. They have no right to cut the 
timber, as the amount of their particular interest has not been deter¬ 
mined, nor can it be, without a decision of the courts or a par¬ 
tition sale. 

The act of 1883, gave me no power to separate by survey or to 
make partition of tracts where the State owned an undivided in 
terest with private parties. Many of these cases are quite compli¬ 
cated and deserve the early attention of the Attorney General. 

When explicit decisions have been rendered in such cases by the 
Courts and partitions properly directed, the work of surveying and 
separation can be taken up and properly done. Until these necessary 
legal steps have been taken, the location or subdivision and separation 
of such lands by survey, is premature and improper and, indeed, 
impossible. 

The original surveys in the County of Franklin, although made 
with magnetic compass, were so well systematised that such compli¬ 
cations as have occurred in the other counties are not likely to occur 
here, to any such extent as was encountered on the Jerseyfield and 
Palmer lines. 

From the time of the original survey of MaComb’s purchase, the 
variation of the needle was to some extent, attended to, as the sur¬ 
veys lasted over a period of many years. Being made for wealthy 
private citizens, political changes did not affect or disarrange the 
work, and the measurements have consequently a unity rarely 
found in compass surveys of such vast area. 

Some misapprehensions, however, existed at the time in regard to 
the nature and extent of the movement of the magnetic needle. In 
great tracts 4, 5, and 6, the year 1797 was assumed to be the year 
of no variation for that entire area. This, I have heretofore shown 
did not apply to some stations in the interior of the wilderness; 


140 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


lines of marked trees run in that year in several sections, by different 
surveyors with different instruments when traced and referred to 
the meridian lines which I have established in each of the northern 
counties, showed that in that year the declination of the needle was 
often from 3° to 4° to the westward of true north. 

This is one source of error which has to be guarded against 
in the 4,000,000 of acres of the Ma Comb’s purchase. I should 
have been glad to have extended the detailed investigation of the 
lines of each of the several lots of State land in this county, but 
the peculiar condition of the “ undivided ” tracts and the limited 
time and means, compelled me to confine my attention to a few lo¬ 
calities. 

The observations made by myself personally have been already 
sufficiently outlined in the narrative of work between St. Regis, 
Mt. Azure, the St. Regis waters and Cliateaugay. During the re¬ 
connaissance made between St. Regis and the head waters of the 
north branch of the Saranac, I learned that lumbering operations 
were about to be commenced upon a large scale in the south part of 
Township No. 15, immediately adjacent to valuable pine and spruce 
forest owned by the State in Township No. 18 of Great tract No. 1. 

The boundary line between these townships had not been authori¬ 
tatively marked since the original survey in 1799. Ascertaining 
that the uncertainty of the location of this line might lead to trouble 
I gave directions for its retracing and the permanent marking of 
the corners. This work was done by a party under the supervision 
of Mr. S. Wardner, a local surveyor, who identified the line and 
witnessed the monumenting of the corners of the townships. 

The magnetic bearing of the line was found to have changed 3°15' 
from the original recorded direction of due east and west in 1799, 
being now S. 86° 45' E. The width of the township was found to 
be 1 chain and 65 links less than by the original measurements. 

The north-west corner of Township 18 was marked with a sub¬ 
stantial block of granite of 500 lbs. weight, with drill hole to receive 
the copper bolt marking the centre of the station. 

At numerous places along this line, forest fires had destroyed the 
woods and made the retracing of the line difficult. The line was 
found to cross the east branch of St. Regis river (the outlet of 
Osgood pond), 104 chains and 50 links, east from the north-west 
corner of township No. IS. Hay’s brook was reached at 191 chains 
from the corner. The north fork; the Osgood stream; which 
descends from the pass at the eastern end of the sable, spruce clad 


on State Land Survey. 


141 


mountains intervening between Rainbow Lake and Meacham ; was 
reached at 478 chains. At 650 chains the reference monument was 
set on the west line of Township 10 of the Old Military Tract for 
the corner of Townships 15 and 18 of Great Tract No. 1 in MaComb’s 
purchase. Additional work is here required. 

Much valuable pine timber exists upon the State lands in this 
section, and has the greater value on account of its accessibility. 
Lakes and rivers combine to make the removal of timber easy and 
these natural conveniences increase the market value of the timber. 

An account of the survey and monumenting of a section of the 
east line of the County of Franklin, during the past season has 
already been given. It furnishes, by transit line, the exact location 
of the east boundary of Township No. 8 in the Old Military Tract 
and much valuable topographical data; and, by its connection with 
the triangulation, gives the geographical position of the County line 
and affords a base for the accurate mapping of the adjacent tracts. 
The general bearing of this line was South five degrees West. 

The change in the general direction of the line since 1787, was 
found to be about 300' of arc west. 

The declination of the needle in townships 8 and 9 is too much 
affected by local attraction from magnetic iron ore to be regarded as 
indicating the normal declination for that latitude and longitude. 
In order to plat the maps of the State lands in the remainder of the 
county accurately, I determined the direction of the true meridian at 
a number of stations, and, from magnetic observations subsequently 
made, obtained the declination of the needle for each locality. 

At the signal station of the Adirondack Survey at Malone the 
declination was found to be 12° 30 / West of true North. 

At the mouth of the St. Regis river on the Indian reservation it 
was found to be 10° 31',2 West of true North. 

At Paul Smith’s on the St. Regis Lakes it was 10° 09' west, and 
at the head of the Saranac Lakes four observations gave a declina¬ 
tion of 10 47' west. 

Assuming a variation in the present bearing of lines in the central 
portion of the county since the time of original survey of 3° 
15', the declination of the needle in 1799 at these stations was 
nearly as follows: 

Malone. Yariation, 1799 = 9° 15' West 

Indian Reservation. “ u =7° 16' “ 

St. Regis Lake. “ u = 6° 54' “ 

Saranac Lakes. “ “ = 7° 32/ “ 






142 


Report of Yerplanck Col yin 


These are interesting figures in view of the fact that they give 
the approximate declination at about the time when the gradual 
eastward movement of the needle was near its periodical minima. 

It is evident that the popular idea existing, that the early surveyors 
found the needle to point nearly along the true meridian in 1797, 
everywhere throughout the heart of this region, was a mistake. 

Late in the season I was desired by the Comptroller to cause a 
detailed survey to be made of a large number of lots in this county. 
The limited extent of the appropriation, and the care and time which 
the investigations already undertaken required, prevented these 
special surveys from being taken up at this time. 


on State Land Survey. 


143 


SECTION IX. 


ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY- 


MACOMB'S PURCHASE; TOWNSHIPS OF GRANSHUE, 
HOLLYWOOD, KILDARE, OAKHAM, SHERWOOD 

AND EMILYVILLE. 


Although the County of St. Lawrence is, to a great extent, densely 
wooded, and includes within its borders nearly a thousand 
square miles of wild forest; yet its inhabitants have thriftily man¬ 
aged their property, and but small portions of the original purchase 
by MaCoinb, have ever returned to the State for the non-payment 
of taxes. 

The total area owned by the State in this county is 43,241 acres, 
nearly all well timbered land. 

The greater portion of these lands are in townships Nos. 1, 2, 4, 
5, 7, 8 and 9 in Great Tract No. 2; and in Township 15 in Great 
tract No. 3 of MaComb’s purchase. 

The largest separate tracts of these lands are in the townships of 
Gransliue, between the Raquette and the Grasse rivers, and the 
township of Emilyville on the head waters of the Oswegatcliie 
river. These two detached portions of State lands are nine miles 
distant from each other. Emilyville or Township No. 15 is so far 
distant in the wilderness as to be for the present, perhaps, secure 
from depredators; although little, if any, plundering of State timber 
has been done in the county of St. Lawrence. 

Early in the season, I made inquiry and investigation in regard 
to the condition of these tracts of forest land, and ascertained that 
they were valuable. In looking over the data to ascertain what 
measurements would be needed to enable me to locate these tracts 
accurately upon the maps, I found that, if the principal lines and 



144 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


corners of the townships of Granshue and Emilyville could be con* 
nected with the triangulation, the drawing of the outlines and allot¬ 
ments of the remaining townships could be truly made. 

A reconnoitering party was sent to the head waters of the Oswe- 
gatchie river to examine the mountain summits southward of Great 
Cranberry lake, between the great inlet and the head of Bog river. 
This reconnoissance was made during July; and on the 30th of that 
month report was made to me that the mountain summits which I 
had noticed in this district in 1873, (and which I had now caused to 
be re-examined) were available as stations in the chain of triangula¬ 
tion to the limits of Township 15 (Emilyville). Yet, while available, 
the forest on these summits was found so dense that stations could 
only be made by heavy chopping. The mountains in this section 
are low, and the trees usually large and thrifty spruce. 

The expense and delay of work consequent upon such clearings, 
and the number of signal stations that would be required, brought 
me, reluctantly, to the conclusion, that our labors in St. Lawrence 
county, during the present season, must be limited to the central 
and eastern sections. These tracts being near the signal stations on 
the Raquette river of the Adirondack Survey could be located without 
the expense of new clearings and new stations. Limited time and 
means rendered this alike indispensable. 

The south-east corner of the township of Granshue (T. No. 7, 
Gt. Tract 2), was, therefore, selected as the initial point of the pres¬ 
ent surveys in the County of St. Lawrence. 

Assistant Farnsworth, who had so well conducted the survey of the 
Raquette river in 1879, was otherwise engaged, and I placed his as¬ 
sistant, Mr. S. B. Crandall, in charge of the measurements along the 
boundaries of Granshue. Mr. Crandall having charge of the Sur¬ 
veys of the West Virginia Land Company was absent from the 
State, and I was not able to secure his services before the middle of 
August. His long acquaintance with the boundaries of the Ma- 
Comb townships, in this county, and his experience upon the Adiron¬ 
dack survey, made him specially available in this department. 

On Saturday, August 18th, I placed the plan of work in Mr. 
Crandall’s hands at Potsdam, and on the 20th he had organized his 
party, and was upon his way up the Raquette river. 

The examination which I had heretofore made of this section from 
Mt. Morris, in 1882, and from Bog Mountain during the present sea¬ 
son, had shown me that the boundaries and corners of the lands in this 
vicinity, could be best connected with the surveys of the interior by 


on State Land Survey. 


145 


measurements to and from this signal station on Bog Mountain; 
which being visible from the signal station on Mt. Morris and Mt. 
Azure, would give the geographical position of all of the tracts that 
could he tied to it, by measurements with steel ribbon, along 
true azimuths. 

Bog Mountain signal station was, therefore, made the central 
point of reference, and assistant Crandall was directed to first search 
out and locate, the south-east corner of the township of Granshue; 
to which he had been on former surveys ; and then to retrace the 
east line of that township to the northward, measuring until he 
should reach a point on the line, due west from the signal on Bog 
Mountain. This accomplished, he was directed to proceed to Bog 
Mountain, and commencing at the signal station, run a transit line 
westward, on an azimuth at right angles with the township line, 
until it should intersect that line. The distances and azimuths thus 
found would determine the true position of the townships and the 
State lands therein. 

On August 21st, the survey party reached the initial point at the 
south-east corner of Granshue. The provisions had been brought 
in and, by afternoon, the south and east lines of the township had 
been traced to their intersection, and a block of native granite, weigh¬ 
ing upwards of five hundred pounds, had been placed at the corner, 
monumenting the converging lines of Granshue, Hollywood, Hare- 
wood and Jamestown. Camp was made near the shores of the beau¬ 
tiful little lake known as Clear pond, and before dark the store of 
provisions was augmented by a fine buck, shot by Mr. Crandall with 
his rifle, the only piece of venison enjoyed by any of the survey 
parties during this season. 

Between August 22d and 25th, the survey party was busied in iden¬ 
tifying, tracing out and clearing the brush from the boundary line be¬ 
tween Granshue and Hollywood, preparatory to the transit work. 

On the 25th, in accordance with instructions received from the 
Superintendent, search was made for a mountain thought to be in 
this vicinity, and on which a signal station was to be placed. This 
summit, had been swept clear of forest by a hurricane which had 
cut down the forest trees like a swath of grain, in a long, narrow 
band, for a distance of over seven miles. Sweeping across this 
mountain crest it had left the rock of the summit bare, and it was 
this naked rocky crest, which the Superintendent had observed from 
his station amidst the ice and snow, on the summit of Mount Mor¬ 
ris in December, 1882. This naked crest the guides had called Bald Hill. 

[Assem. Doc. Ho. 126.] 19 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


146 

Tlie singular freak of the tempest, which has swept the summit of this 
mountain clear of timber, is difficult to understand. So dense and 
unbroken was the wilderness, that no sight for some time could be had 
of this mountain, or of the wind-thrown forest, and in the effort to dis¬ 
cover the summit two of the party were lost, and only found by the 
guides after hours of search. 

From the summit of Bald Hill, a wild forest landscape was visible. 
Three miles to the south-west is Blue pond, a beautiful little sheet, 
shut in by the forest. Eastward Bog Mountain signal was visible, 
and further eastward Mt. Morris, Mt. Seward and all the high peaks of 
the Adirondacks were seen. Hear by to the south-westward a deep 
gap in the forest stretched, from the mountain side away, almost as 
far as the eye could reach. This was what is known as the little 
wind-fall, and there the deep gash cut by the hurricane extended like 
a giant’s highway through the forest. The terrible force which this 
tornado possessed since it swept to the earth in a few moments 
myriads of gigantic trees is difficult to estimate. 

August 26th, assistant Crandall returned to the monument set at 
the south-east corner of the township of Granshue, and commenced 
the transit line northward. One of the men, Mr. Barkley, fell this 
day upon an axe and cut himself severely. Made seven transit sta¬ 
tions and measured 993 feet of line. On the 27th, eleven transit 
stations were occupied and 3,978^%- feet of additional base line 
measured. 

“ August 28th, Barkley’s leg was found to be in a dangerous con¬ 
dition, and he was sent out of the woods while yet able to move. 
Ran the transit line eighteen stations northward, and measured 
5,028^-^ feet of base line. 

“ August 29tli opened with rain and work could not be taken up 
before 10:30 a. m. By working until dark, we made fifteen stations, 
and measured 3,755 5 -°/^ feet of base line having now run 13,754-^^ 
feet north from the Granshue corner monument. Set stone monu¬ 
ment to-day at the south-west corner of section 36, in Hollywood. 
The line is now shut in by State land on both sides. 

“ August 30th ran 3,188^ feet, and occupied seventeen transit 
stations. Station Ho. 55, was at the north-east corner of the State 
land in the Township of Granshue. Here, a stone monument was 
placed, the centre of the station being marked by a drill hole in the 
rock. At station Ho. 70 the north-west corner of section 36, State 
land in Hollywood was reached, and was also marked by a stone 

monument.” 

1.: • r>ii ■: 


on State Land Survey. 


147 


t 


Not being sure where the offset line from Bog Mountain would 
intersect the township line, assistant Crandall now broke camp and 
moved to the foot of the Bog, and occupied the signal station on the 
mountain summit. 

On Saturday, September 1st, the offset line from the signal, west 
towards the township line, was commenced, on an azimuth of 88° 
43' 45". The measurements had to be made down the steep moun¬ 
tain sides, where the greatest care was needed to secure exact align¬ 
ment, and horizontal measurements with the steel ribbon. Only 
three stations were made this day, on account of the difficult nature 
of the ground. September 2d was Sunday, and rained nearly all 
day. On the 3d work was resumed on the transit line, the force now 
reduced to five men, but were able to make thirteen stations, and 
measure 4,100 feet of line, over rough ground. “ Sent out for two 
more men to act as pioneers to clear the line, so that we may push the 
work forward as rapidly as possible, in accordance with the urgent 
desire of the Superintendent and my own duties in Virginia.” 

September 4th ran 7,890 T 5 Q 3 Tr feet of transit line and occupied 
thirty stations. Ground very rough, and bark slash, lumber slash 
and swamp. On the 5tli nine stations were occupied and 3,064^/^ 
feet of line run and intersection made with the township line, 
marked with a stone monument with drill hole centre. Another 
man injured to-day ; Rodwell, badly cut in the foot by a miss stroke 
with an axe and had to be sent out to the settlements. Moved camp 
to southward on the township line to the north branch of Grasse river. 
Deer seem to be abundant and signs of bear are not infrequent. 
Wolves are reported to have been seen recently near this locality. 

Assistant Crandall now returned to the monument set at the north¬ 
west corner of section No. 36 of Hollywood and by hard work 
twenty-nine stations were completed this day, and 5,279 T y iJ - feet of 
base-line measured. The line here runs over the west shoulder of 
Bald Hill, and across the “ little windfall,” which was found “ ex¬ 
tremely rough for measuring, and a bad place to run a line.” At 
station 88, which is 20,916 T y (r feet north of the initial monument, 
the signal on Bald Hill was passed. 

On September 7th, work was resumed at station 93, and 
5,460*V feet of base-line measured, twenty-two stations being oc¬ 
cupied with the transit. At station No. 105, the north branch of 
the Grasse river was reached and located, and 26,847^) feet north 
from the south-west corner of Hollywood, closed for the day near 


148 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


the top of a hard wood ridge called Brunner Hill the next hill 
north of Bald Hill. 

September 8th resumed work at station Ho. 115 and ran 4,973^^ 
feet, and occupied sixteen stations. Several important sub-corners of 
sections were located this day, and at evening, the line reached the 
stone monument at the terminus of the transit offset-line from Bog 
Mountain; being at a distance of 32,990 T y ¥ feet from the initial 
monument at the south-east corner of the Township of Granshue. 

Thus the boundaries, location and connection of the State lands in 
this section had been made, and the measurements carried out con¬ 
necting the same with the surveys of the interior. 

The 9th of September was severe and stormy. Rain fell heavily 
during the night, and it was also very cold. Having gone into the 
field very lightly equiped the party was without tents and the jour¬ 
nal of the assistant states: “ camp without anything but a camp fire 
is cheerless in such weather.” 

Nevertheless work was resumed at once. Returning along the 
line, the transit was set up at station Ho. 88, and a traverse line was 
run eastward to Bald Hill. Here, the signal station was now com¬ 
pleted, and centred over the last station on the traverse, and obser¬ 
vations taken to such signals as could be seen. 

Thus the lines were connected with another station and the orient¬ 
ing and platting of the results of the survey upon maps made easy 
and accurate. 

This completed the field work in this section for the season. Mr. 
Crandall’s private survey work in Virginia did not admit of his 
taking up any additional section, and the lateness of the season and 
limited means, did not authorize me to organize a new survey party 
for this district. 

On September 11th, Mr. Crandall rendered his report and com¬ 
pleted his accounts and departed for the South. 

The work thus done, in the County of St. Lawrence, affords not 
only the technical information required, but adds some important 
facts to our stock of information in regard to terrestrial magnetism. 

The boundaries of the townships of Granshue and Hollywood, 
had been run in the year 1800, on magnetic north and south and 
east and west lines. The observed bearing or these lines during the 
present remeasurements showed a change of 4° 43/ to the westward 
in eighty-three years. The declination of the needle, as observed 
on Bog Mountain August 23d, 1883, was 5° 59'.2 west of true north. 
There is great local attraction of the needle in this vicinitv, and all 
azimuths are based upon the meridian line here determined. 




on State Land Sukvey. 149 

The declination of the needle in 1883 being. 5°59'.2 West, 

and the change in the average magnetic bearing of 

the lines retraced being (since the year 1880)_ 4°43'.0 West, 

shows a difference of. 1°16'.2 West } 


which was the declination of the needle in the year 1800 at this station. 

This is an important discovery; for it shows that, at the time 
when Medad Mitchell first traced out the boundaries of MaComb’s 
purchase, the idea which was then entertained, that the magnetic 
needle pointed along, or nearly along, the meridian, was not without 
foundation in this part of the great patent. 

Indeed, so irregular is the needle in its pointings in this vicinity, 
that there is every evidence that stations may be found, in the im¬ 
mediate neighborhood of Bog Mountain, where the marked lines 
will show that the compass pointed along the true meridian at the 
time of the original survey. 

It is deeply interesting, to any student of terrestrial physics, to 
discover, within the limited area of one of the great land patents of 
New York, such diverse conditions in the magnetic constants, far 
back at a period when man’s innovations had not been made, before 
the forest had heard even the distant echo of the lumberman’s axe, 
or the solid rock had been blasted asunder for its wealth of iron. It 
would be interesting to extend this study so as to ascertain whether 
the changes in the location of the lines of magnetic force are in any 
way dependent upon changes in the mean atmospheric temperature 
or moisture. 

The most important fact disclosed is, that, although in this lo¬ 
cality the declination of the needle is generally several degrees 
less than the average in the southern and eastern portion of the 
Adirondack region, yet the change in declination, during the last 
century, has been almost the same here as in the other sections, where 
the westerly declination is, and has always been greater. 

The time at my disposal will not admit of further discussion of 
this very interesting subject. 

The measurements by which the State lands were located in this 
section and connected with the trigonometrical stations of the Adi¬ 
rondack Survey, have been sufficiently explained. The maps, ac¬ 
companying this report, will show the position of the lots and the 
survey lines and the location of the monuments marking the corners. 

Much valuable work could be done in the County of St. Lawrence 
were adequate means afforded. As it is, the orientation of a most im¬ 
portant system of lines has been accomplished, and the data needed for 
the preparation of the maps of the State lands here has been secured. 


i 





150 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


SECTION X. 

WARREN OOTJNTY. 

STATE LANDS AT LAKE GEORGE, ETC. 


The lands owned by the State in the County of Warren are — 
with the exception of the islands in Lake George — of small area and 
of less value than those which have been heretofore described. 

The surveys, made by my direction, of the Upper Hudson and the 
Schroon rivers — the former in 1879 and the latter in 1880 and 
1882 — together with the points determined by triangulation of the 
Adirondack Survey, gave many of the essential features of the 
county needed in mapping the lands. The location of the south¬ 
west corner of the county has been given in the section relating to 
Palmer’s purchase. 

The total area of State lands in the County of Warren is 30,683 
acres. V ery small areas, if any, of real and entirely untouched pri¬ 
meval forest, now remain within the limits of the county. The 

' tr 

streams being nearly all suitable for log-driving, this county was, at an 
early date, stripped of its best pine; and the choice spruce and 
hemlock have now followed, to a great extent, the first mentioned 
and more valuable evergreen. 

Within the limits of this county is the town of Glens Falls, where 
the entire volume of the Hudson river has been made available by 
nature for the use of the busy saw-mills, which have reduced so 
great a portion of the forest into valuable lumber. 

Yet while the facilities for transportation, for milling and for 
market, have so greatly reduced the extent of the original growth of 
the evergreen forests in the County of Warren, it must not be sup¬ 
posed that the deciduous trees have been equally cut away. The 
red beech, the gigantic yellow birch, maples of many kinds, and 



on State Land Survey. 


151 


elms and other “ hard-wood” forest trees, still cover vast extents of 
country, sheltering or hiding some groups of cedar, spruce and 
other evergreens, and the young second-growth pines. 

Early in August I sent an agent to make inquiry as to the condi¬ 
tion and value of the State lands in this county. He was also in¬ 
structed to ascertain whether any questions had arisen as to the lots 
owned by the State. Ho special complications in regard to bounda¬ 
ries were reported. The value of a large number of the State lots 
— mostly covered with hardwood, balsam and other timber, not 
commercially esteemed — was obtained by careful inquiry and 
found to range from $1.00 to $1.50 to $2.00 per acre. 

In preparing the map of the allotments, which show the State 
lands in this county, I had found the old compass bearings to indi¬ 
cate the presence of magnetic iron in the country rock at some 
places. To obtain accurate data for the present map work, I, there¬ 
fore, had the declination of the needle observed, at thirteen different 
stations in the towns of Stony Creek, Thurman, Johnsburgh, Ches¬ 
ter, Horicon, W arrensburgh and Luzerne. The time at my disposal 
does not admit of my discussing the results of these observations. 
The observations were carefully and well made by Mr. H. L. Kush, 
who was detailed for that purpose, and will be found in the appendix 
on the Variation of the Needle (Magnetic Declination) at the rear 
of this report. At all of the stations occupied, the needle was 
found to point to the westward of true north. The minimum was 
9° 46' west and the maximum 13° 10' west. 

Early in the spring of 1883, I was requested by the Senate Com¬ 
mittee on State lands to furnish information relative to the number 
and location of the Islands in Lake George, the greater part of 
which are owned by the State and are very valuable. In accordance 
with their request, I, therefore, caused investigations to be made, and 
soon ascertained that the location of the islands could only be secured by 
special survey. I had long before proposed to connect the shores of 
Lake George at several points with the triangulation of the Adirondack 
Survey. In 1881, I had established a number of trigonometrical sta¬ 
tions on the adjacent Adirondack spurs, with a view to obtain bisec¬ 
tions on points on the shores of this lake, so that its geographical 
position might be determined. Much valuable data was then ob¬ 
tained ; but the location of each of the islands, and the precise sur¬ 
vey of the shore line of the lake, were found to involve a greater 
outlay of time and means than could be afforded. 

The reconnaissance made in 1881 developed the fact, that the 


152 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


tertiary triangulation, which would be needed to locate the shore 
line of the lake itself, would be difficult at several points, on account 
of the irregular clusters of islands impeding sight lines. If the lines 
were shortened the triangles would become ludicrously small, — if 
any attempt were made to locate the islands — and such small tri¬ 
angle sides would not properly answer as new bases for the larger 
lake triangles across wide water to the next cluster of isles. 

To simplify the work and to avoid needless complications in the 
measurements and computations, I resolved to have the survey for 
the location of the shore line and islands, made while the lake was 
closed by ice. By means of base-lines, carefully measured upon the 
ice, the tertiary triangulation could be checked and verified ; while, 
from the termini of such base-lines, single reference lines could be 
measured through each group or cluster of islands, and offsets meas¬ 
ured to right and left from such reference lines would determine the 
location and distance of the ends and shores of islands, points of 
promontories, depths of bays and all necessary details. 

In accordance with this plan, I directed assistant D. M. Arnold, 
civil engineer of Ticonderoga, who was familiar with all the locali¬ 
ties along Lake George, to take charge of a survey party, and fur¬ 
nished him with a diagram showing where the necessary base-fines 
and offsets were to be measured. He was provided with two stand¬ 
ard graduated steel ribbons with spring, balance handles and ther¬ 
mometers, and was directed to allign personally the steel ribbon 
during measurement by transit; the “ chain work ” being intrusted 
to Surveyor G. L. Locke and one assistant. This work was executed 
during March and April, 1883, the ice being perfectly smooth and 
in fine condition for measurement. 

Commencing at the signal station of the Adirondack Survey at 
Caldwell, on the grounds of the Fort William Henry Hotel, base¬ 
lines for the use and verification of lake work were accordingly 
measured and remeasured at every important point. 

Between the signal station at Caldwell and the signal station at 
Rogers Rock fourteen of these base-lines were measured upon the 
frozen surface of the lake, and the termini substantially marked with 
nickel plated copper bolts set in the rock. 

The means at my command were so limited that this work had to 
be discontinued upon the completion of these fines. 

The data immediately needed was, however, secured, and much 
important information in regard to the islands in the lake, which is 
herewith transmitted. 


“SMOKY ATMOSPHERE” IN WINTER, LIKE THE DUST-HAZE OF THE GERMANS, 
THE GREAT IMPEDIMENT TO LONG SIGHTS IN TRIANGULATION. 



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153 


The following is a list of the islands in Lake George owned by 
the State and of adjacent islands owned by private parties. 

All of these islands excepting Willow Island and Prisoner’s Island 
and one or two small islands near the outlet of the lake are in the 
County of Warren. 

I regret that the time at my disposal does not admit of my enter¬ 
ing into a more extended account of these beautiful islands ; which 
are, undoubtedly, among the choicest possessions of the State. 

[Assem. Doc. Ho. 126 ] 20 


154 


Report of Verplanok Colvin 


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on State Land Survey. 


157 


I regret that the cost of the work in the other departments, 
where the location of disputed boundaries was so necessary, 
did not leave sufficient means to make a complete survey 
of Lake George. The total number of islands — large and small — 
in accordance with the above enumeration would be in round num¬ 
bers one hundred and seventy-five. Upon the completion of the 
survey, those only will be termed islands that bear those character¬ 
istics of area and verdure, which appear to entitle them to the name. 
The smaller rocky projections covered with a few bushes or trees, 
should be called Isles; while the narrow almost submerged and 
sloping reefs and sharp projecting rocks will suggest their own 
proper titles. 


158 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


SECTION XI. 

TRIAN G-UL ATION. 

CONNECTION OF THE BOUNDARY LINES WITH THE 

SURVEYS OF THE INTERIOR. 


The law of 1883 requires the present survey to connect its meas¬ 
urements with the surveys of the interior. The most rapid and 
accurate method of accomplishing this result was by triangulation, 
and by this method alone was it practicable to bring the detached 
land patents into any one harmonious system. 

A great deal of consideration had to be given to the extent and 
character of this department of the survey. Triangulation, while 
accurate, is extremely expensive in a mountainous region, where the 
ponderous instruments, tents, baggage, and provisions of a survey 
party have to be carried by hand and on back over rugged ranges, 
across morasses and through almost impenetrable forests, where 
the labors of a corps of pioneers are needed to clear a pathway. 
Yet, great as these impediments are, they are only incidents when 
compared with the delay of work, and consequent unavoidable increase 
of cost, occasioned by the generally prevailing cloudiness or haziness 
of the atmosphere in the Adirondack region at elevations of from 
3,000 to 5,000 feet above the Sea (between latitudes 43° and 45°), 
which cuts off from view, the distant mountain peaks and signal 
stations in one direction or another, beyond all remedy, for long 
periods of time. 

Among the high peaks of the Adirondacks I have experienced ten 
consecutive days of rain at one time and at another, during a month’s 
stay upon a mountain summit, 4,900 feet above the sea, had but 
three or four really good hours for nice work, in as many weeks. This 
condition of the atmosphere is common among the mountains. 
Innumerable other instances might be given, but those mentioned 





on State Land Survey. 159 

will explain what I mean by the delay and cost, which the natural 
atmospheric conditions cause, when working on mountain summits. 

Considering, therefore, the questions of time and expense, the 
stations which it would be absolutely necessary to occupy, and the 
probable time within which the work at each could be done, I formed 
the plan that was carried out, as hereafter described. 

I determined to connect the surveys of State lands in Clinton 
County, near Chazy Lake with the adjacent Adirondack Survey 
triangulation station on Lyon Mountain, and thus determining their 
geographical position. The lot lines in Essex county were to be tied 
by measurement to the Adirondack Survey signals, in the interior, 
on the summits of Mount Marcy and Mount Whiteface and inter¬ 
mediate stations. 

The converging lines of the ancient land patents in the Counties 
of Warren, Saratoga and Hamilton were to be tied to Mt. Hamilton, 
Snowy Mt. and the adjacent signals. 

The boundaries in the counties of Fulton, Herkimer and Lewis I 
proposed to connect with signals upon Mt. Jersey field, Pen Mount 
and Gommer Hill; and those in the counties of St. Lawrence and 
Franklin with Moosehead mountain, Bog mountain, Mt. Azure, 
De Bar mountain and the station St. Lawrence. The manner in 
which this was finally done has been already outlined in this report. 

In practice, the plan, like all plans, was found to require much 
more work than was desired. Additional signal stations were found 
to be needed. Low ranges of mountains, hitherto deemed of little 
importance, now asserted their consequence, by being just sufficiently 
high to cut off the view of certain signals. All of these difficulties 
were met at once and overcome, but not without great toil, care and 
exposure. 

An account has already been given of the work done, at the sig¬ 
nal stations on Mt. Jerseyfield, Gommer Hill, Mt. Azure, etc., and 
need not be rehearsed. 

The new signal stations erected during the past season are as fol¬ 
lows : 


Mt. Iroquois. Essex County. 

Mt. Clinton. Essex County. 

Mt. Jerseyfield. Herkimer County 

Bald Mountain. St. Lawrence County. 

Myers Hill. Oneida County. 

Sanborn Hill. Clinton County. 










160 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


Bircli Hill. Clinton County. 

Pyon Station. Clinton County. 

Caanan Station. Clinton County. 

Clear Pond... Essex County. 

The other stations used were: 

Mt. Marcy. Essex County. 

Mt. Wliiteface. Essex County. 

Mt. Hamilton. Hamilton County. 

Mt. Azure. Franklin County. 

Sable Mountain. Essex County. 

Hopkins’ peak . Essex County 

Camels Hump.’. Essex County. 

Lyon Mountain. Clinton County. 

Mt. Manning. Clinton County. 

Snowy Mountain. Hamilton County. 

Moosehead Mountain. St. Lawrence County. 

Bog Mountain. St. Lawrence County. 

Gommer Hill. Lewis County. 

Pen Mount U. S. C. S. . Oneida County. 

Gore Mountain. W arren County. 

Cathead Mountain. Warren County. 

Crain’s Mountain. Warren County # 

High Dune. Herkimer County. 

The triangulation was prosecuted until the middle of November, 
when the severity of winter, and furious storms upon the mountain 
tops, made it unaddisable to continue work. 

The observations at the principal stations not occupied by my¬ 
self were made by assistant Blake. Assistant Koetteritz on Snowy 
Mountain,* and assistant Farnsworth at St. Lawrence met with spe¬ 
cially unfavorable weather. In the midst of a furious snow storm 
in October, the tent sheltering the survey party on Snowy Mountain 
was destroyed and blown from the summit, and the men were com¬ 
pelled to seek shelter, in an icy ravine on the crest, until morning. 
Those who know any thing of the cliff-walled summit of this peak, 
and its wild and savage appearance, can appreciate the sufferings of 
this party in their efforts to secure the measurements needed. 

On Mount Marcy and Whiteface during October and November 
much more severe weather was met with. The party here was an 

* This party had charge of the third section of work in Hamilton county, limited 
— owing to weather — to the signal station mentioned. 
























on State Land Survey. 


161 


experienced one; assistant Blake and the guides having encamped 
with me upon those ledgy summits during previous winters, knew 
in advance what had to be encountered. Nevertheless, tents crushed 
and torn, and frost-bitten feet, were some of their reminiscences of 
October above the timber line on these mountains. Yet the meas¬ 
urements were accomplished ; and with the satisfaction of work well 
done, the hardships and exposure endured became almost a pleasant 
remembrance. 

It may be necessary to explain to those who do not understand 
the shortness of the Adirondack summer season, and the limited 
time in which, by law, the results of the survey have to be reported 
to the Legislature, that the early part of the field-season from the 
time of the passage of the law (June 4th) to the end of August was 
of necessity wholly occupied by the land surveys, and the docu¬ 
mentary researches necessary thereto. Not until the land surveys 
had reached a considerable degree of completeness was it possible to 
determine what angles it would be necessary to observe, in order to 
connect these freshly made surveys, with the measurements which 
we had made in former years. 

The entire available survey force was also engaged until Septem¬ 
ber upon the land surveys, so that the observers were not available 
until the boundary work had been completed in several sections. 
Thus it came that the winter work upon the mountain peaks was 
necessary. 

At two stations the large twenty-inch theodolites, constructed by 
Oerthling of Berlin, were used, and at two other primary stations a 
twelve-inch theodolite by Fautli of Washington was employed. 

The large 20" theodolites were those employed on the survey of 
the great western Lakes, and were issued to me by the Chief of 
Engineers of the United States Army. They were mounted upon 
massive oaken tripods with heavy cast-iron heads, the horizontal 
limbs being made to shift for position so that repetitions of angles 
could be easily secured without disleveling the instruments. The 
observations at the other stations were made with more portable in¬ 
struments. At the time of writing the study of the various complu 
cations affecting the boundary lines of lands have required every 
attention and the reduction of the field observations in triangulation 
are in progress, but not completed. They will be urged forward 
with all possible speed. 

An idea of the experiences of the parties engaged on the work ol 
triangulation during the commencement of the Adirondack winter 

[Assem. Doc. No. 126.] 21 


162 


Report of Yerplanck Colvin 


may be had from the following brief extracts from my own journal 
while on Lyon Mountain October 29th. (See plates No. 12 and 13.) 

Camp in the Snow. 

u Seven days have now passed of continuous storm. Although it lias 
been snowing steadily, the crystals are light and fleecy and easily 
blown before the wind. The dense fog of the clouds still envelopes 
us night and day and, by a curious law of crystallization by con¬ 
tact, have converted the entire dwarf forest into a glittering pearly 
mosaic — every limb, bough or minute evergreen leaf sparkling 
with frost-work and glorious in the contrast of its spotless purity 
with the rugged moss-covered tree trunks, gray stems and the 
almost entirely hidden dark green of the balsams. ” 

It is a wild and singular place for a camp. The tent, secured 
by ice-hung ropes,shut in by the trees bending beneath their load of 
mingled cloud frost and feathery snow — the wild eddying fog, the 
silence unbroken, save by the rush of the wind through the forest 
or the dull thud of the axe of the guide chopping wood for the little 
sheet-iron stove within the tent— the sense that we are alone 
upon the summit of this wintry peak — so isolated and “ by the 
world forgot ” — all forces itself upon us. The place seems like 
an enchanted wood, not made for man; and we intruders. Yet 
at morning, when the sun — quite invisible—has nevertheless 
filled the cloud we live in with its diffused light, the little duties 
of the camp, the fastening down of the tent pins loosened by 
the storm during the night — the reading of the minimum register¬ 
ing thermometer, the journey of a hundred paces to the ice-hung and 
cloud-wrapped signal, are events, and Hope, ever asserting itself, 
still looks on to the breaking away of the storm, the clearing of 
the skies, and the taking of the observations for which ice and 
snow, storm, cold and exposure are being endured. 

* -x- * * -x- * * * -x- * * 

Red Snow. 

November 3d the storm began to be less severe, the violent gusts 
of wind (which had accompanied the fall of the round liail-like 
snow) had subsided, and the air was becoming sufficiently clear to 
see the ice covered spruces four or five hundred feet away. The 
clouds, however, were dense and prevented any view beyond the 
short radius mentioned. There was nothing to be done but march 
up and down in the snow outside the tent for the sake of exercise, 



on State Land Survey. 


163 


and while thus engaged I was surprised to notice that about an inch 
below the surface of the last pure bluish-white snow that had 
fallen, there was a layer which had a darker color, and under close 
inspection proved to be of a slightly reddish or pinkish hue ! This 
dirty pink color was very noticeable by the contrast with the white 
snow above and below it where a section has been made. 

Surmising that this discoloration of the snow might have been 
occasioned by smoke from the little sheet-iron stove I went a distance 
into the forest along the mountain side — a sufficient distance to avoid 
any such possibility — and cut into the snow repeatedly only to find 
the same result, a very faint red or pinkish layer of snow, about one- 
quarter of an inch thick, and one inch below the surface. I could 
not account for the phenomenon, and deeply regretted that I had no 
glass phials in which I could collect this snow and preserve it, even 
though only in the form of water, for examination. It is claimed 
that such red snow has been seen in the Alps and was attributed to 
fine dust carried by furious winds from some great volcanic eruption. 
I am not aware that any such volcanic disturbance had occurred 
within months of the time of the observance of this snow, but 
consider it proper to record its appearance as a matter of scientific 
interest. 


“HoHEN-RAUCH.” 

“November 2d. The dry fog which has so plagued us for years, 
still obscures the horizon and cuts off all view of distant signals. I 
cannot, even with the most powerful telescope distinguish the San¬ 
born Hill signal at Chateaugay Lake. Was there ever such provok¬ 
ing weather ? If it were summer the guides would say it is “ smoke ” 
and advise me to defer observations until “cold weather.” Now 
that it is cold weather they have nothing to say. It is probably 
“ smoke ” like that which we encountered in 1881 only more diffused, 
and accompanied by atmospheric vapor. The cold rains which pre¬ 
ceded our arrival on the mountain have failed to wash the air clear 
of it, or even to remove it at all. 

“ Now, although snow has been falling for so long a time the dust- 
haze or Hohen-rauch is as omnipotent as ever and, like a dark 
smoke cloud, closes in the horizon. Neither De Bar Mountain, 
Mt. Azure, Whiteface nor any of the prominent peaks are to be 
seen, much less the lowland signals of the land survey. 

“We have but to watch and wait, however, the mountain summit 
cannot be left until the necessary observations are secured — whatever 


164 


Report of Verplanck Colvin - 


the difficulties and hardships may be. The fact that our labors and 
exposure on this ice-clad peak will not be appreciated or even under¬ 
stood, is no reason why we should falter in the work. 

“ November 3d. There are indications of a thaw. If the atmos¬ 
phere can get thoroughly moistened, and we can then have some 
strong gales the “smoke” maybe cleared away and observations 
made. I am left with but one man now. The other could remain 
no longer. It is almost impossible to get men to encamp upon the 
mountain tops at this time of the year. 

“ November 4th. The haze begins to break away and I shall get 
some observations. 

“ November 5th, the last man has deserted and thus I am alone in 
camp. Cold and snow were too much for this fellow. Paid him off 
and was glad to have him go. 

“ Got some fine observations, although, being alone, I had 
difficulty in securing the canvas observatory against the high 
wind which arose at night-fall. Descended, however, at dark to 
the camp with the work at last accomplished, but had to cut 
wood, cook my own supper (thawing snow for water) and found 
house-work after dark, with my limited knowledge of the location 
of the utensils, rather difficult. Put out the light at 9 p. m., wrap¬ 
ping up in soft and comfortable blankets, stretched myself upon a 
deep couch of evergreens and rested well until morning regardless 
of the catamount or lynx, which had so recently been the discussion 
of the camp.” ******** 


The office work of the triangulation is in progress and the results 
will be hereafter given. 


on State Land Survey. 


165 


SECTION XII. 

ELEVATIONS. 


The heights of the mountains, lakes, passes, and routes through 
the great forest, I have already given in the preceding reports of the 
Adirondack Survey. 

It is desirable in the present report that a general idea of the 
average elevations should be given of the several districts, where 
lands are owned by the State, to afford an idea of their climate 
and value. For this purpose, special observations have been made, 
and the results, after consideration, take the following form. 

The State lands in the Jersey field, Lawrence and adjacent patents, 
are in a section where the hills or ranges of hills have a height of 
about 2,400 feet, and the lowlands 1,800 or 1,900 feet above the 
sea. The average would be low, if placed at 1,900 feet for lands 
both north and south of the county line. 

In Clinton County, rejecting from consideration the arid lands 
in the Flat-rock district etc., with Chazy Lake (1500 feet) as a mini¬ 
mum, we may assume for the State lands in Township 5, and the 
vicinity an average elevation of 1600 or 1700 feet above the sea. 

In the counties of Lewis and Herkimer, the State lands are so 
scattering, that an estimate of their elevation would be of little 
value. The average elevation of lands in these counties might be 
put at between 1200 and 1300 feet. 

In the more elevated districts of Fulton and Hamilton counties, 
we find some mountains reaching heights of about 3,900 feet above 
the sea; while the lowlands reaching nealy their lowest lands at 
Wellstown, (950 feet,) Lake Pleasant (1,706 feet,) Paquette lake, 
(1,774 feet,) Blue mountain lake, (1,800 feet,) and West Canada Lakes 
(2,348 feet) show the diversity which is to be expected in so large 
an area. 



166 


Beport of Verplanck Colvin 


Considering this district in separate sections, therefore, the Benson 
lands would have an average height of 900 to 1,000 feet. 

The State lands in Palmer’s purchase may be averaged at 1,100 
or 1,200 feet above the sea; while northward, in township No. 3 of 
Totten and Crossfield’s purchase, they reach elevations of between 
2,000 and 3,000 feet. 

In Essex county, the State lands are in so many locations, that an 
average elevation can hardly be given. In the town of Keene they 
are principally located between 1,800 and 4,000 feet above the sea; 
being upon the sides of mountains. In the other portions of this 
county, the State lands are generally located at less elevations, al¬ 
though reaching very great altitudes in North Elba and Newcomb. 

In Franklin and St. Lawrence counties, the State lands are gener¬ 
ally well located, at De Bar mountain (3,011) alone reaching any 
considerable height. The average elevation of the lands may be 
placed at about 1,700 feet above the sea. 

No average height is estimated for the State lands in Warren and 
Saratoga counties, as they are too much scattered to make any esti¬ 
mate of value. The lands at Lake George rise but little above the 
surface of the water which is 343 feet above the Sea. 

From these average elevations, it is easy to perceive, that these lands 
are not generally suited for profitable agriculture. Between 1,500 
and 2,000 feet above the sea frosts are not uncommon in summer, 
and I have known the entire crop of Indian corn in one of the most 
fertile valleys, having an elevation of only 900 feet above the sea, 
destroyed by frost in a single night early in August. 

Oats, however, and other hardy cereals can be profitably grown 
upon lands reaching an elevation of 2,000 feet above the sea, and 
potatoes will thrive wherever there is sufficient soil to cover them. 

It is possible that sheep and hardy cattle may be raised on the low¬ 
lands, but the hay crop is insufficient for the long and tedious 
winters. 

Much of the region must of necessity remain a forest, and the 
natural moisture of the climate and frequent light rains, are very 
favorable to tree growth. 


on State Land Survey. 


167 


SECTION XIII. 

RAINFALL. 


While conducting the Adirondack Survey, I caused regular, sys¬ 
tematic observations of the rain-fall, to be taken at a number of 
stations in the northern district of the State. These daily observa¬ 
tions have now been extended over a period of five years. 

Some of the stations are in the immediate vicinity of the State 
lands. 

As the greatest public interest now exists in the rain-fall of this 
section of the State, it seems proper that these observations, taken 
for the express purpose of ascertaining the actual local coefficients 
of precipitation, should in this report be made public. This is the 
more important as questions now pending, before the Legislature, in 
regard to the future management of the public lands, are largely 
based upon the proposition that the forests covering these lands 
are more or less essential to the proper and regular maintenance of 
the existing rain-fall, and, consequently, of the normal flow in the 
streams which have their rise in this region. 

That the sources of the Hudson river, and of some of the princi¬ 
pal tributaries of its affluent, the Mohawk, are located in this vast 
forest region, and that the great Canals of the State, depend upon 
these streams to a large extent for their water supply is a fact which 
must be admitted by all. The State has located elaborate and 
costly reservoirs, at many points, in the Adirondack region, notably 
at the Woodhull and adjacent lakes, where what is called the main 
branch of Black river, which heads south of the Brown tract, has 
been diverted for the purposes of the canals, and now divides its 
flow between its ancient channel and the water courses which run 
to the Hudson. 

When the dimensions of the feeder and the great volume of water 
which it delivers at Boonville are considered, we cannot wonder at 



168 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


the complaints that have arisen along the lower portion of the Black 
river valley, at Carthage and at Watertown, by mill owners and others 
whose industries are dependent upon the water supply of this dis¬ 
trict. If after this exhibition of the exercise of the right of emi¬ 
nent domain, these people view with alarm the proposed cutting 
of great areas of forest, upon the balance of the water-slied, on 
which they are now dependent for rain-fall, and appeal to the Legis¬ 
lature for aid to prevent such cutting away of the forests, we can 
certainly perceive that real, substantial reasons exist for protection, 
and relief from their grievances. 

Another and similar case is found upon the Champlain canal, where 
the waters of the Hudson are poured through the Glen’s Falls feeder, 
to the summit level of that canal, fed northward to Lake Champlain 
and the St. Lawrence as well as southward to its natural channel in 
the Hudson. ' Here, also, great complaint is made by mill-owners 
and by navigators, that the volume of the river has diminished, and 
that they are entitled to relief from the State. 

So, in numerous localities the appeal is made for more water, and 
the preservation of the forest upon the State and adjacent lands, is 
held to be indispensable to secure the rain-fall. 

The question now assumes a scientific phase. If the inquiry be 
made : “ Have forests any influence upon the rain-fall ?” it must be 
answered in the affirmative. 

The further inquiry : “ How and in what manner ?” opens almost 
too broad a field for present answer. 

To prevent any misunderstanding, however, it may be well to 
say, that in this department of meteorology, as in the allied branches, 
so many elements enter into the problem, that a full discussion of it 
would require a special volume. 

The influence of trees may, nevertheless, be summarized, for those 
who desire a general idea of their value in this respect. 

Rain-fall is dependent upon two variable conditions. 

(1st.) The temperature coefficient; composed (a) of the direct 
radient heat of the Sun, communicated to the Ocean or other bodies 
of water (b) of the transferred temperature of the atmosphere, also 
communicated to such bodies of water ; [secondary elements such as 
organic heat, electrical influences, volcanic heat, etc., may be here dis¬ 
regarded.] 

(2.) The vapor coefficient, dependent upon the temperature and 
atmospheric pressure. 

Where the barometric pressure is slight, and the atmosphere thin, 


New York State Land Survey 


VERPLANCK COLVIN. 



Wkei>, Parsons & Co . Printers. Albany, N.Y. 


' ■■ > 'sSShi*.. V L- 

Moss Knu Co., N Y 


CLOUD FROST. 


SIGNAL ON MOUNTAIN PEAK ENCRUSTED BY FROST DEPOSITED BY CLOUDS 

Oct 29th, 1883 



on State Land Survey. 


169 


water rapidly evaporates, and tlie intermolecular space is speedily oc¬ 
cupied by the invisible vapor of the water. 

In a word : by the heat of the sun the waters of the Ocean and the 
Land become converted into steam. This steam, a transparent, invisible 
gas and —in accordance with the law of diffusion of gases — mingles 
with the atmosphere, mechanically, apparently without combining with 
it. Into every crevice or cranny between the molecules of Oxygen and 
Nitrogen the transparent vapor flows, and thus the air is said to become 
moist, or wet. Now wet air is lighter than dry pure air, and, there¬ 
fore, vapor of water rises, carrying with it the particles of air, among 
which it has become entangled. 

Thus, we have the water in the atmosphere, ready to be precipi¬ 
tated as rain, by a sufficient change of temperature. 

Now it is not the forests alone that have the power of decreasing 
temperature, however deep and cold their shade. Their influence 
is conservative and secondary, yet very important. They control 
and regulate local storms, and prevent undue evaporation ; but of 
these hereafter. Primarily, the direction of storms, is affected by 
the arrangement of the oceans and continents upon the Earth’s 
surface* The vapor, produced by the sun, occasions Ocean 
and atmospheric currents which, as they diverge from the Equa¬ 
tor, are affected by the variable speed of rotation of the surface of 
the Earth with change of latitude. The approach to the pole of a 
moist equatorial wind causes condensation and rain-fall. 

Thus, the amount of rain is affected by the latitude of the place; 
by the elevation of the ground ; by the presence of cold r.anges of 
mountains, acting either as condensers of moisture, or as the reverse 
of rudders, directing or deflecting the atmospheric currents. 

Here we reach the influence of forests. 

If these mountain ranges are covered with forest, they entangle 
the air currents, and deaden the wind, more than the bare rock 
alone could. This fact was familiar to the owners and users of 
huge old wind-mills of Long Island. A house or a block of houses 
interposing between them and the gale would not greatly interfere 
with the working of the mills. The wind would bound over houses 
with undiminished power; but a few trees, one or two hundred 
feet distant in a lot, destroyed the force of the wind, when it blew 
from that direction, and the mills would not grind. 

Forests have consequently great power over the lower surface of 
the wind. A gale is a flow of a peculiar chemico-mechanical compound 
— diffused gases — and whatever changes the force , of a gale dis- 

[Assem. Doc. No. 126.] 22 


170 


Beport of Yerplanck Colvin 


turbs the arrangement of the molecules. It is not necessary to go into 
a discussion of atmospheric electricity, beyond remarking that this 
condition of force is ecpially present, whether invisible or in the 
form of lightning. Many differences of potentiality undoubtedly 
exist, and might, if studied, lead us to a more exact knowledge of 
the law of storms than is now possessed, but they cannot be consid¬ 
ered here. 

Aside from this question of meteorological mechanics and physics, 
are certain simple facts known to all, which prove the value of for¬ 
ests as conservators of moisture. 

The snows of winter are shielded from the sun in the forest, and 
remain long after they have disappeared from the open fields. 
Thus, in spring time, the continued coolness of the woods aids to 
condense the warm, moist winds; and, after sufficient re-action, rain 
may be produced from clouds that, otherwise, would have passed by 
without any precipitation. 

Similarly, in summer, great extents of cold, moist forest upon 
mountain slopes cannot but have their influence upon warm clouds 
overburdened with moisture, and by lowering their temperature, 
initiate the rain-fall. It is very possible that when rain has actually 
commenced to fall, and any great change is produced in the condi¬ 
tion of the atmosphere, the latent heat of the vapor may be sud¬ 
denly converted into electricity and flow off to the earth ; then the 
clouds, reduced to a still lower temperature, would copiously pre¬ 
cipitate rain. 

The influence which trees and forests have upon the atmosphere 
is too well known, however, to require elaborate discussion. The 
pointed brush like tops of the pines are like so many electrical col¬ 
lectors, and their stems only too often serve as lightning rods. 

In our dense northern forest areas, severe hail storms are very 
rare and one never hears of those enormous hail-stones, which in 
less favored localities, at times have ruined buildings, destroyed cat¬ 
tle or compelled man himself to seek secure shelter. 

That this exemption is not due to our location, or to the latitude, 
I am able to prove. 

In the Brant Lake region, in Warren County, is a great extent of 
burnt country. Here, repeated forest fires have swept away almost 
all the valuable timber, and gloomy wastes of arid rock and sterile 
sands are the result. The elevated rocky ridges would be every 
where exposed, but for the mosses and ferns and aspens, which 
through lapse of time have found a foot hold, and are endeavoring, 


on State Land Survey. 


171 


in their humble way, to make good the injuries done by man. The 
aspens, or “ popples ” as they are locally called, are graceful de¬ 
ciduous trees, whose fluttering leaves and pale olive tinted stems, 
make them very picturesque. These trees, along the shores of 
Brant lak6, have now reached an elevation often, of twenty feet; 
and, passing that way in 1880, I was astonished by the appearance 
of the stems, which upon one side were all discolored, blackened, 
knotted and drawn up as though by some disease. The peculiarity 
was that this appearance was all upon one side of the trees; and 
later on, studying the phenomena, more closely, I found a number 
of goodly sized trees from which the bark, on one side near the 
tops of the trees, had been cut away or hung in strings. 

This singular injury to the aspens, continued for a mile or more. 
On careful inquiry, I learned, that it had been caused by a severe 
hail storm several years before. 

Such an occurrence ; a general cutting of the bark from the tree 
tops; has never come under my observation in the wilderness. Its 
occurrence in this semi-arid district is in accordance with the results 
of European observations, where it is claimed, the severe hail-storms 
always occur in deforested districts. This has been regarded in the 
light of an established scientific principle, and instruments have 
been devised to discharge the electricity of the clouds. M. Arago, 
the famous French philosopher, suggested that captive balloons pro¬ 
vided with conductors, should be raised to great heights, and thus 
the electricity be drawn off sufficiently, to prevent the sudden 
change which produces hail. 

Neither balloon nor paragrele has yet, however, shown that it can 
compare in efficacy with the innumerable discharging points offered 
by a great forest. Indeed it does not require any great effort of 
intellect to perceive that a few slender conductors, even if elevated 
to a great height, cannot compare in power with the millions of natural 
conductors — the trees — that covering ridges, hills, and mountain 
ranges, struggle with general success against the wind, and perform 
the office of maintaining the electric equilibrium silently and effica¬ 
ciously. 

Hail is but one form of rain ; if trees can influence the one, they 
certainly must have power over the other. The judgment of science 
is, that forests do exert a potent influence over the rain-fall. This 
influence is to be sought, in the regulation of the rain-fall, through 
the months and seasons, rather than in any increase or decrease of 
the normal precipitation. 


172 


Report of Verplanck Col yin 


Rain-fall depends primarily, as I have said, upon the sun’s power 
of evaporation. What the sun converts into steam is condensed by 
cold — or by change of its heat into some form of correlated force 
— again into water. 

It is, evidently, to man’s interest that this evaporation, this ab¬ 
sorption of water, shall be had from the Ocean as far as possible, or 
if the moisture be drawn from the Earth,'that it be reprecipitated 
upon the Earth again. If the clouds should procure their moisture 
from the surface of the Earth, and pour their rain out only upon the 
Sea all the choice agricultural lands of the world would rapidly 
become sterile and worthless, and all organic life would disappear 
from the land. 

It is, therefore, of the first importance that the natural conditions 
of rain-fall and evaporation as at present existing, should be main¬ 
tained ; and that trees shield the soil from the sun’s rays, will not be 
disputed. 

In the Adirondack region, the forestry question is complicated by 
many conditions. 

There are many kinds of forest, and beneath each group of trees 
will be found a different sort of foot-hold. 

The deciduous trees, beeches and maples, have usually, a thin deposit 
of leafy mould, covering sand or stones as the case may be. The 
evergreens on the contrary, grow in a deep “ wooden-soil ”; the 
“ spruce-duff” in many places having a depth of several feet. Upon 
the high mountainsides this spruce-duff is often deeply covered with 
the most luxuriant peat moss, (sphagnum,) into which the foot of 
the traveler descends as though into snow; except that this vivid green 
moss is often a sponge of water. Its roots are usually dripping, and for 
weeks after rains have ceased, the explorer who attempts to climb 
these semi-alpine peaks will find his limbs drenched with icy water, 
from these deep peat mosses. This moss forms a little forest under the 
great forest. Thronging together, closer than the soldiers of the old 
Macedonian phalanx, each stem is a little evergreen six, eight, or ten 
inches in height from the root to the tufted top. Dying at the roots they 
form that peculiar humus, whose affinity for water is so great, that 
these peat mosses upon the mountain sides, have been called hang¬ 
ing-lakes ; as though they were bodies of water suspended and held 
in this peculiar vegetation. 

These deposits are found among the high Adirondack peaks at 
the sources of the Hudson, the Opalescent, the Boreas, the Schroon, 
the Au Sable and the Boquet rivers, at elevations of from 2,000 to 


on State Land Survey. 


173 


4,000 feet above the Sea. They are extremely curious and interest¬ 
ing. At lake Tear-of-the-Clouds, at Moss lake, at the lakes upon the 
summit of Wallface mountain ; in the Elk pass, the Caraboo pass, 
in the Indian pass, and in all the gorges and ravines among the 
mountains^ I have found these mosses, and these deep deposits of 
humus. Here we find rills and streams springing forth unexpectedly 
on every hand. Subterranean waters are heard gurgling deep be¬ 
neath our feet, in the unseen channels, amid the wooden soil and 
humus. Each group of boulders that thrusts its head above the 
duff, has its cluster of water-pockets in the irregular cavities be¬ 
tween. Here,, we have the sources of our rivers, for at these alti¬ 
tudes, the gauge tells us, that the rain-fall of the region reaches its 
maximum. 

The register of the observations, taken during the Adirondack 
Survey, is shown in the following tables: 


S. N. Y. - ADIRONDACK AND STATE LAND SURVEYS. 

Mean temperature and ram-fall records at Keene Valley, Essex Co., for the years 1879, ’80, ’81, ’82, ’83. 


174 


Report of 


Verplanck Colyin 


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Inches. 

OONCOC5 
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October 

Inches. 

CO t- 03 CO 05 
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Septemb’i’. 

Inches. 

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August. 

Inches. 

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Inches. 

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Inches. 

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January. 

Inches. 

1.35 

3.33 

2.08 

1.73 

1.55 


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Yearly 

mean tem¬ 

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Deg Fah. 

CO 05 CO"* CO 

CO CO 05 lO CO 

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December. 

Deg.Fah. 

COC 0 050 t- 
CO CO CO O 00 

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34.94 

28.96 

34.85 

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May 

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Deg.Fah. 

lOCOdiCH 

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March. 
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28.44 

25.64 

28.26 

28 43 
19.40 

February. 
Deg. Fah. 

OOH 1 -CO 

t-Wl -005 

coco^xocd 

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January. 
Deg. Fah. 

OCOCQt-HO 
ho co no co co 

005000 oi 
(MdriHH 

YEAR. 

1879 . 

1880 . 

1881 .. 

1882 . 

1883 . 


m 

O 





. Phelps, Observer. 











































































Rain-fall records at Pottersville, Warren Go ., for the years 1879, ’80, ’81, ’82. 


on State Land Survey. 


i Total rain¬ 
fall for 
the year. 
Inches. 

28.34 

25.21 

26 18 

20.03 

December. 

Inches. 

4.27 

0.91 

3.93 

2.18 

November. 

Inches. 

oo t-oo co 

^ t—CO 

COprHO 

October 

Inches. 

HHOM 

©WHO 

OCOO 5 P 

Septerab’r. 

Inches. 

■ct* 05 m t— 

t- CO (MOO 

05 05 O5r-l 

August. 

Inches. 

1.42 

1.28 

3.57 

1.34 

July. 

Inches. 

Cl M 1 rH H 

cioicico 

June 

Inches. 

2.86 

1.19 

1.80 

1.71 

May. 

Inches. 

0.08 

3.56 

0.00 

0.76 

April. 

Inches. 

lO iO 

05t-O5© 

05OOH 

March. 
Inches. 

t-CO 

C5^ '•'DCO 

co~H©ico 

February. 

Inches. 

OCOOO 

05 05 t-* 

05 P 05 P 

January. 

Inches. 

1.36 

2.04 

3.03 

1.08 

YEAR. 

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Mean temperature and rain-fall records at Plattsburgh, Clinton Co., for the years 1880, ’81, ’82, ’83. 

Rainfall record. 


176 


Repoet op Vekplanck Colvin 


Total 

rain-fall. 

Inches. 

23.61 

21.59 

25.28 

24.05 

December. 

Inches. 

05 CO 05 CO 

CO L— CO 05 i 

OHHO 

Novemb’r. 

Inches. 

2.67 

1.50 

0.54 

1 75 

October. 

Inches. 

ioccoco 

?H rH rH 

Septemb’r. 

Inches. 

CO 05 0* 05 

! 

August. 

Inches. 

CO iO O rH 
rH oi 0* rH 

July. 

Inches. 

2.00 

2.35 

2 22 
3.40 

June. 

Inches. 

2 02 
1.27 
4.78 

3 20 

May. 

Inches. 

CD COO 05 
h* 05 ir-CC 

r-icirH^* 

April. 

Inches. 

t-o«o«o 

<M CO CO 00 
rloOO 

March. 
Inches. 

rH CO O CO 

(^coi^-co 
t-h 0* 0* r4 

February. 

Inches. 

05 C* CO 

CO rH o: 00 

HthHH 

January. 

Inches. 

1.75 

1.60 

1.06 

0.99 

YEAR. 

1880. 

1881. 

1882.. 

1883. 


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Yearly 

mean tem¬ 

perature 
Deg. Fah. 

44.76 

43.66 

41.19 

December. 

Deg. Fah 

18.69 

21.96 

21.01 

Novemb’r. 

Deg. Fah. 

• 1ft CO 

00 «^CO 

Q *COCO 

CO • coco 

October. 

Deg. Fah. 

46.46 

5i.07 

44.59 

Septemb’r. 
Deg. Fah. 

H • 05 CO 

CO 'lOO 

August. 
Deg. Fah. 

67.52 

69.'10 
66.50 

July. 
Deg. Fah. 

<N 

05 • rH 

05 • 05 00 

CO -COCO 

June. 

Deg.Fah. 

60.48 

63.64 

66.59 

May. 

Deg.Fah. 

o •t'-co 
oo *<M 00 

05 OH 

iO * ic lO 

April. 

Deg.Fah. 

-h*<© 

CO .rH 05 

rH »1> t* 

^ COCO 

March. 
Deg.Fah 

CO -ON 

10 'coco 
<m • <n»-i 

February. 
Deg Fah 

rH .CO© 

LO • L- 

oj 

January. 

Deg.Fah. 

27.38 

17.88 
11.99 | 

YEAR. 

1880. . . 

1881......... 

1882. . :••••• 

1883. 


George W. Pries, Observer. 








































































Mean temperature and rain-fall record at Clinton Prison, Clinton Co., for the years 1880, ’81, ’82, ’83. 

Rainfall record. 




on State Land Survey. 


[Assem 


Total 

rain-fall 

Inches. 

44.67 
50.81 

41.89 

50.68 

December. 

Inches. 

3.82 

4.25 

3 15 

4.19 

Novemb’r. 

Inches. 

fc-co CO o 

CO 

October. 

Inches. 

^H GS h* 

05 Ol ^ rH 

^H^COiO 

Septemb’r. 

Inches. 

5.16 

4.98 

4.05 

3.50 

August. 

Inches. 

OONHO 
rH i-1 COL- 

July, 

Inches. 

4.71 

5.06 

5.27 

5.85 

June. 

Inches. 

©NOS© 

(MCOt-O 

eo>© 

May. 

Inches. 

4.09 

3.90 

4.15 

4.35 

April. 

Inches. 

L 

1.89 

2.06 

0.79 

2.22 

March. 
Inches. 

O 00 05 01 

^ CO CO CO 

February. 

Inches. 

rH CO 

00 rH C5 CO 

co co oi co 

January. 

Inches. 

3.25 

3.69 

3.12 

3.86 

U 

O YEAR. 

o 

• 

coco co g8 

CO 00 00 CO 

HHHH 

No 126.] 


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£ 


Yearly 

mean tem¬ 

perature. 
Deg. Fall. 

44.29 

42.81 

43.88 

42.65 

December. 

Deg. Fah. 

20.09 

19.96 

24.60 

20.71 

November. 

Deg. Fah. 

I 

33.29 

34.30 

35.85 

36.72’ 

October. 
Deg. Fah. 

1 

45.18 

44.10 

42.63 

45.55 

Septemb’r. 
Deg. Fah. 

58.36 

58.76 

56.27 

57.64 

August. 
Deg. Fah. 

65.78 

64.91 

66.05 

65 55 

July. 

Deg.Fah. 

1 

67.90 

66 48 
67.20 
66.83 

June. 

Deg.Fah. 

67.31 

66.19 

64.30 

66.61 

-Q 

S Sf 

0 

51.89 

50.82 

52.10 

51.60 

April. 

Deg.Fah. 

NiOt-P- 

COOCIc- 

OlOrHO 
^ ^ ^ 

March 
Deg. Fah. 

30.10 

31 17 
30.65 
22.49 

February. 
Deg. Fah. 

26.80 

20.45 

21.10 

21.20 

January. 
Deg. Fah. 

22.45 

16.12 

21 19 
16.73 

YEAR. 

1880. 

1881. 

1882.. 

1883. 


177 


Observations by Hospital Steward. 






































































178 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


cm 

oo 


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05 

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ft5 


Total 

rain-fall. 

Inches. 

8.43-5 mos. 

16.56-6 mos. 

15.72-7 mos. 

17.03-9 mos. 

December. 

Inches. 

; $ 

: : •'© 

November 

Inches. 

r-HiHOJ 

wtiod 

October. 

Inches. 

0.66 

4.09 

1.75 

0.84 

Septemb’r. 

Inches. 

cc ^ co »o 

o CO CO CO 

coco si cc 

to ™ 

05<NS3t- 

|J 

f cot-CO 

hh«^ oi 




July. 

Inches 

0.73 

3.81 

2.00 

2.09 

cc 

• 05 05 

QP <X> 

t-COi— 



3 O 

Or-(CO 

•-s a 


M 



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Altitude 552 feet above the sea. Computed annual means.. 1879, 17.91 inches; 1880, 29.55 inches; 1881, 20.69 inches ; 1882, 22.84 inches. 

C. W. H. Livingston, Observer. 
















































on State Land Survey. 


179 


These observations furnish the first records of rain-fall in the 
Adirondack region, extending over any considerable period of time. 
The most important result is, the indication given of the increase of 
rain-fall, with altitude, by comparison of the observations taken at 


four of the stations. 

At Keene Yalley, in Essex county, the rain-fall in 

1881 was... 30.63 inches. 

At Edmonds ponds, 1,000 feet higher than Keene, 

during the same year the rain-fall was. 46.07 inches. 


A difference of. 15.44 inches. 

In Clinton county at Plattsburgh in 1881 the rain¬ 
fall was. 21.59 inches. 

At Clinton prison, 1,200 feet above Plattsburgh, dur¬ 
ing the same year the rain-fall was. 50.81 inches. 

A difference of. 29.22 inches. 


The frequency of storms in the vicinity of Lyon mountain may 
account for this greatly increased rain-fall. It is more than would 
be expected, ordinarily, for the difference of elevation. 

The records, however, enable us to make one comparison, which is 
startling*, even, if not conclusive. 

Records of rain-fall at Plattsburgh academy, taken under the 
direction of the Regents, afford the data given in the next table. 
Admitting that the periodical fluctuations of the rain-fall may reach 
a difference of two or three inches between different years, how is 
the great change indicated by the old, and the recent observations at 
Plattsburgh to be accounted for. 

Comparing three years from each series of observations we have— 


YEARS. 

Rain-fall, 

inches. 

YEARS. 

Rain-fall, inches. 

1847.____ 

47.26 

1881. 

21.59 

1848. 

32.00 

1882. 

25.28 

1849. 

35.02 

1883. 

24.05 





Mean. 

38.09 

Mean. 

23.64 inches. 







































180 


Report of Yerplanck Colvin 


Here, we find a decrease in tlie rain-fall in thirty-four years of 
14.45 inches. It is to be remarked that during this interval a great 
portion of the forest in ClintorL and the adjacent counties, has been 
cut away and removed. 

Yet, we cannot assert, positively, upon this information, that the 
average rain-fall of northern Yew York has decreased, although the 
comparison just made is striking and suggestive. 

The rain-fall observations herewith transmitted are placed in the 
report for record where they may be. accessible for consultation. 
They tell the monthly and daily changes in precipitation that have 
occurred, and are the only recent contributions to this subject from 
the Adirondack region. 


Early rain-fall records at Plattsburgh, Clinton Co., 


on State Land Survey 


181 


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182 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


CONCLUSION- 


The location of a great number of the disputed boundaries of the 
patents and grants, which include the State lands, has now been 
made. From the confusion of duplicate and triplicate systems of 
lines, the old and original boundaries have been rediscovered, proved 
and permanently marked. A great mass of detail work ought yet 
to be done, but the means at command have only been sufficient, to 
deal with the pressing questions of disputed limits. These have 
been settled. Hereafter, these lines will become the reference bases 
in the surveys, not only of public but of private lands. 

The field work has been extremely difficult and toilsome. The re¬ 
searches have not been in the line of new and direct work, but have 
involved a great extent of technical study, and the collection of his¬ 
torical evidence in logical legal form, to prove the boundaries that were 
rediscovered. 

The scattered condition of the lands, within which the operations 
of the survey have been carried on, have made the area enormous. 
The great forest region of northern Hew York is imperial in size. 
Within its limits the entire State of Connecticut might be included, 
and an ample margin of woodland remain. 

The vast forests, which were all once the property of the State, 
after the revolution, were to a great extent, disposed of at small 
prices. It was believed that they would yield more revenue to the 
State through taxes, than could accrue through their retention as a 
public domain. This theory, carried to the utmost in regard to 
forest lands has favored speculation, and has been really of vast detri¬ 
ment to the public interests. Forest lands, under the old and prevail¬ 
ing system of lumbering in this country, can yield but one profitable 
crop of timber in a generation. Hence, the practice has been to 



on State Land Survey 


183 


allow tlie lands to lapse to the State for unpaid taxes, after the best 
or soft-wood timber has been cut. When the second growth became 
of value, the same lands were often again purchased from the State 
for accrued taxes; and thus ownerships changed, reckless cutting 
went on, the original landmarks were neglected and forgotten, and 
boundaries became obliterated. 

The neglect, mismanagement and complications of a century were 
thus landed down to us. The manner in which many of these 
problens have been solved and settled has been already explained. 

Had it not been for the work of the Adirondack Survey, and the 
study <i the ancient land lines made in preceding years, the present 
work ould not have been executed with the success, rapidity and 
dispatci which has characterized it. 

The work of the Adirondack Survey, after the completion of the 
base-lires at Lake George in 1883, was limited to the arrangement 
of data and the supervision of the office and map work that had 
been aheady commenced. The limited appropriation for that survey 
was exhausted in carrying out the work over wild districts, where the 
greatesi difficulty was experienced on account of the density of 
the forest, impeding the view and hindering alike the triangulation 
and plaie table work. 

The appropriations made for these surveys have been altogether too 
limited for the work proposed to be done. In order to have sufficient 
means to carry out the requirements of the law, it became necessary 
for the Superintendent to carry on the work of both the Adiron¬ 
dack aid State Land surveys without compensation therefor, the 
whole anount of his salary for the season of 1883 and 1884 having 
been e:pended upon the work of those surveys. 

The responsibilities and cares connected with the location of these 
disputed boundaries, extending through ten counties, and affecting 
the ownership of vast areas of adjacent property, have been very 
great The intricacy of the problems involved has made the pre- 
paraion of the present report within the limited time required, a 
labor of remarkable difficulty. 

Such other and further results as may be reached, and which it 


184 


Report of Verplanck Col yin 


may be proper to present to the Legislature, will be transmitted in a 
future report. 

The accounts of expenditures, together with vouchers and detailed 
bills of items therefor, in accordance with the law, have been filed with 
the Comptroller. An abstract of these accounts is hereto annexed. 

A list of the State lands, giving their location and area, is also ap¬ 
pended, together with maps of the lands and plates to illustrate 
this report; all of which is 

Respectfully submitted. 

VERPLAlSrCK COLVIN, 

Superintendent. 






New York State Land Survey. 



CAMP IN THE SNOW. 

WINTER ON THE MOUNTAIN PEAK, OCTOBER, 1883. TAKING 

MORNING OBSERVATIONS 


VERPLANCK COLVIN, 

PLATE No 13 Superintendent. REPORT 1884 


Moss Eng Co., N.Y. 


Weed, Parsons & Co , Printers Albany N Y 















on State Land Survey. 


185 


LIST OF PLATES 

ACCOMPANYING THE REPOET ON STATE LAND 

SURVEY. 

Signal St. Lawrence. 

Plate. 

No. 1. Station connecting triangulation with the River St. Law¬ 
rence and the Boundary Line between the United States 
and Canada. See page 16. 

Survey Party. 

No. 2. Survey party engaged on location of County line between 
Herkimer and Oneida counties, moving from camp on 
the Banks of Moose River. See pages 14 and 110. 

Shore of Paquette Lake. 

No. 3. Yiew from Steamboat landing at Kenwills, showing char¬ 
acter of lands recently sold by the State. See page 28. 

Lndicm Village of St. Regis. 

No. 4. Mouth of the St. Regis River; showing its junction with 
the St. Lawrence. See page 15. 

Lndian Church at St. Regis. 

No. 5. And the banks of the St. Lawrence, near the monument 
at the termination of survey lines, measured from the 
Hudson. See page 16. 

Group of Indians at St. Regis. 

No. 6. Remnant of the Iroquois or Six Nations who occupy what 
is known as the St. Regis Reservation. See pages 16 and 17. 

Signal Mt. Azure. 

No. 7. Station on the lower St. Regis; Solar Transit mounted on 
high tripod. See page 18. 

[Assem. Doc. No. 126.] 24 


186 


Report of Yekplanck Colvin 


Chateaugay Lake. 

Plate. 

No. 8. View south-westward toward Thomas’ point from landing 
at Ralph’s; the county line lying between the distant 
mountains on opposite lake shore. See page 22. 

Ragged Lake. 

No. 9. Yiew from Transit-station southward along east shore, show¬ 
ing character of the forest. See page 23. 

Lyon Mountain Lron-mines. 

No. 10. Yiew northward toward Ellenburgh; Panther mountain; 
Ellenburgh mountain. See page 25. 

Hohen-rauch. 

No. 11. Smoky atmosphere in winter, the dust-haze of the Germans 
— the great impediment to long sights in Triangulation. 
See page 163. 

Cloud Frost. 

No. 12. Signal on mountain peak, encrusted by frost deposited by 
clouds, Oct. 29th, 1883. See page 162. 

Camp in the Snow. 

No. 13. Winter on the mountain peak, October, 1883 ; taking the 
morning observations. See page 162. 

Crayon Sketches. 

No. 14. High Adirondack peaks and wild forest, from Basin mount¬ 
ain. 

No. 15. Yiew of Chateaugay Lake, showing character of lands in 
Township No. 5 Old Military Tract. 

No. 16. High peaks of the Adirondacks from Boreas river, near La 
Bier’s place. 

No. 17. High peaks of the Adirondacks from North Elba, Essex 
County. 

No. 18. Yiew from Mount Hurricane. 


on State Land Survey. 


187 


LIST OF MAPS. 


(1) Map showing the location of the Great Land Patents. 

(2) Map showing original location of the boundaries of Township 

No. 27 in Gt. Tract No. 1, Macomb’s Purchase. 

(3) Map showing the location of the southeast corner of Franklin 

County and the Preston Ponds. 

(4) Map showing the boundaries of Township No. 5 in Clinton 

County (Lyon, Mt. Chateaugay and Chazy Lakes). 

(5) Map of the north boundary of the Jerseyfield Patent (Ham¬ 

ilton, Herkimer and Fulton Counties). 

(6) Map showing position of the corners of Jerseyfield and 

Lawrence Patents, Benson Township and Glen, Bleeker 
and Lansing Purchase. 

(7) Map of the west boundary of Township No. 3, Totten and 

Crossfield’s Purchase, showing Dart of the Moose River 
Tract and West Canada Lakes. 

(8) Map of part of Palmer’s Purchase, Hamilton County. 



188 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


APPENDIX A. 

g-ixtiunto 

THE LOCATION AND AREA OF STATE LANDS IN 1884 * 


Clinton county. 42,019 acres. 

Essex county .. 158,937 “ 

Franklin county. 160,121 “ 

Fulton county. 18,035 tC 

Hamilton county. 251,972 ‘ 

Herkimer county. 21,412 “ 

Lewis county. 6,767 “ 

Saratoga county.„. 13,613 “ 

St. Lawrence county. 43,241 u 

Warren county. 30,683 “ 

Total in these ten counties. 746,800 acres. 


* The acreage as given in the summary has been reduced somewhat by the 
redemption of certain tax lands, as shown in the detailed statement by counties 
given hereafter. 



















on State Land Survey. 


189 


APPENDIX B. 

LIST OF STATE LANDS 

ACQUIRED PRIOR TO 1881 . 


CLINTON COUNTY 

LIST OF LANDS BELONGING TO THE STATE. 


Total number of acres 31,260.42; of which 10,724.75 acres are 
prison lands. 

DETAILED STATEMENT. 

Duerville Patent. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

Dannemora : 

1. Ex. 47 a. N. W. Cor., 90 a. N. E. Cor, 21 a. S. 

W. Cor., 27 a. being so much of 74 a. b’d N. by 
lot line and Nelson’s 105 a. N. E. Cor. of lot, 

E. by said Nelson, and another, S. by M. Nana 
and W. by lot line, as is not heretofore excepted 64 t \ 3 -j 

S. E. Cor'.... 43 

2. Ex. 155 a. W, side, 55| b’d N. by Rand Hill 

Road, E. by line par’l to and 18 r. E. of W. 
line of this parcel, S. by lot line and W. by 155 
a. W. side of lot, and 26 a. b’d N. by lot line, 

E. by Parks. S. by Highway and W. by Shaw. 63£ a 

S. E. P’t... 91a 

7. All in Dannemora. 46 a 

Beekmantown: 

29. W. i, ex 35 4 a. N. P’t and 45 a. S. W. Cor. 

thereof...... *4f 

35. S. W. Cor., in Beekmantown. 65 










190 


Repoet of Veeplanck Colvin 


Town and lot. Area in acres. 

Altona: 

45. N. W. Cor. 59 

Beekmantown: 

52. S.W.J . 62J 

82. Ex. 15 a. N. W. Cor., 37 a. S. E. Cor., 51 a. S. 

W. Cor. and 67 T 3 Tr a being so much of 72j- a. JN". 

E. Cor, as is contained in E. ^ . 79^ 

Altona: 

97. 250 

118. Ex. 72 a. W. side. 178 

120 . 250 

121 . 250 

122. hr. % and S. E. J. 187£ 

135. K W. Cor. 48 

GORES. 

Livingston’s Goee. 

Saranac: 

30. Ex. a. E. Pt. 7 c. 37 1. wide on R., and 7 c. 

15 1. on S. line, and 135 a. W. Pt. 39j^ 

61. S. E. cor... 37 

62. E. Side. 62J 

Refugee Goee, 
tSouth of Duerville Patent. 

Plattsburg : 

6. All in Plattsburgh. 139 

State Goee, 

between Old Military and Refugee Tracts. 

Altona: 

22. Ex. 10^- a, a. gore on S. line, and und. \ of 

rem. paid by J. C. Hubbell, . 69-^ 

43. On W. line, 3 c. 33 1. N. from S. W. Cor., 15 c. 

25 1. long N. and S. and 10 c. 501. wide E. and 
W. Bought for prison purposes Apr. 28, ’69. 16 

44 . 200 

45 . 200 

46. B’d beg. 1 r. E. of W. line S. 14 c. 67 1. from N. 

W. Cor. of lot, th. S. 87°. E. 21 c. 14 1. th. S. 

3°. W. 13 c. 65 1. to a. brown ash tree, marked, 
th. S. 86°. W. 1 c. 40 1. to a balsam tree, 
marked, th. N. 47°. W. 4 c. 4 1. to a birch tree, 




















on State Land SuRyEY. 191 

State Gore — continued. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

marked, th. X. 4°. W. 97 c. to a stake in S. 
line of 10 a. Mill lot. th. N. 87°. W. 16 c. 52. 

1. to a stake and stones 95 1. N. of the large 
holt in centre of bridge crossing the river 
on W. line of lot 46 and th. N. on lot line 
to beg. Bought for prison purposes July 25, 

> 69 . . 23 1 

46. B’d beg. on E. line of lot at S. E. Cor. of land 
conveyed to Samuel Shaw by G. M. Beckwith 
and Henry S. Johnson, Ex. rs. 15 c. S. of N. E. 

Cor. of lot, th. Why along the S. line of said land 
13 c. 86 1. to E. Cor of 10 a. mill lot, th. S’ly 
along E. line of said Mill lot and a part of said 
lot sold to Mr. Jarvis, about 15 c. 671. to S.E. lot 
Cor. of said Jarvis’ land, th. W’ly along said 
Jarvis land about 21 c. to W. line of lot, th. 

S’ly along lot line 9 c. 10 1. to a stake atN. W. 

Cor. of 40 a. S. side of lot 46, tli. E’ly along 
]ST. line of said 40 a. to E. line of lot and th. 

N’ly along said E. line to beg. Bought for 


prison purposes Aug. 10, ’69. 49^ 

47 . 1 . 200 

48 . 200 

50. All in Altona. 49 

Dannemora: 

50. All in Dannemora. 144 

Altona: 

51. All in Altona. 60 

Dannemora: 

51. All in Dannemora. 144 

53. 200 

54. 200 

55. Ex. 15 a. sold to M. St. German, 185 a. Bo’t for 

prison purposes Sep. 4, ’68 . 200 

56.:. 200 

57.. 200 

58. Bought for prison purposes Sep. 13, ’66. 154 

59. Bought for prison nurposes Sep. 13, ’66 . 200 

60.!... 200 

61 . 175 

62 . 176 

63 . 176 

64 . 152 

65. Ex. und. J paid by J. M. Davison. 150 























192 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


Old Military Tract. 


Township 3. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

Black Brook: 

7. 967 

10. Ex. 189 a. H. W. Cor. square . 664 

15. 1066 

17. Sub. 3. 85 

17. Sub. 8. 85 

17. Sub. 9. 85 

18. Ex. 80 a. S. E. Cor. 773 

27. 853 

33. Ex Subs. 1, 2 and 3, (being all N. and W. of 

Sampson Pond) 460 a. and S. E. Cor., 50 a... . 343 

41. N. i . 426 

72. S. E. Cor. 10 

73. Ex. und. £ paid by Jno. Taylor Cooper. 237J- 

74. Ex. 100 a. N. W. 753 


Township 4. 


Saranac: 

1. All in Saranac. 114 

7. S. W. Cor. 190 

Black Brook: 

9. Sub. 7.... 85 


Saranac: 

15. S. P’t, 354 a. ex. 106 f a. W. end of S. J and 53 

^ a. S. £ of 106 f a. E. end of S. ^ . 194 

32. B’d N. by Highway, E. by Tromblay and W. by 

Gokey. 99 

62. Ex. 50 a. S. E. Cor., 50 a. S. W. Cor. and 400 a. 

on N. line adj. 50 a. N. E. 140 

Black Brook : 

89. W. end of 140 a. N. P’t. 70 

90. Sub. 2. 160 

91. B’d. N. by Highway, E. by lot line, S. by J. P. 

Sayers, or J. B. Sayers, or J. B. Hayrs or S. B. 

Sayrs and W. by J. Healey or J. Haley. 74 

91. S. E. Cor. ..:.'. 71 


Township 5. 

Ellenburgh : 


43. S. W. Cor. 50 

72. 213 

105. S. E. Cor... 711 




























on State Land Sukvey. 193 

Township 5, 0. If. T. — continued . 

Town and lot Area in acres. 

123. bought for prison nurposes July 27, ’68 213 

124:. do do . 213 

125. do do . 213 

126. do do . 213 

129. do do . 213 

130. do do . 213 

l 60 . 213-J- 

161. • • .. 213£ 

171. Bought for prison purposes July 27, ’68. 2134- 

172. do do . 213£ 

174. do do . 2134 

175. do do . 213 J 

176. do do . 213J- 

178. do do . 213-J- 

179. do do . 213i 

Dannemora and Ellenburgh: 

181. Bought for prison purposes July 27, ’68. 2131 

182. do do . 2134 

183. do do . 213^ 

184. do do . 213J 

185. do do . 213J- 

186. do . do . 213-J- 

187. do do . 213-J- 

188. do do . 213-J- 

189. do do . 213J 

190. do do . 213^ 

Dannemora: 

231. Bought for prison purposes July 27, ’68 . 2134- 

232. do do . 213? 

233. do do . 213^- 

234. do do . 213-J- 

235. do do . 213J- 

236. do do . 213J- 

237. do do . 213^- 

238. do do . 213^- 

239. do do . 213-J- 

1 240. do do . 213J 

241. do do . 213* 

242. do do . 213-J- 

243. do May 13,’67.213-J- 

244. do July 27, ’68. 213^- 

245. do do . 213^- 

246. Ex. 10 a. b’d N. by lot 236, and W. by Chazy 

Lake, and extending E. and S. far enough to 
make 10 a. in a square form. Bought for 

prison purposes May 13, ’67. 203 

[Assem. Doc. m 126.] 25 









































194 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


Township 5, 0, M. T. — continued. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

247. Bought for prison purposes, July 27, ’68. 213$ 

248. do do . 213$ 

249. do do . 213$ 

291. do do . 213$ 

292. do do . 213$ 

293. do do . 213$ 

294. do do . 213$ 

295. do do . 213$ 

296. do do . 213$ 

297. do do . 21 J$ 

298. do do . 213$ 

299. do do . 213$ 

300. do do . 213$ 

Township 6. 

Ellenburgh : 

15. N. E. Cor. 26 

Clinton : 

32. N.Ptof E. $. 200 

37. Sub’s. 1 and 3... llG^fr 


Ellenburgh: 

39. N. end. ; . 140 

59. W. side. 208 ] 1 

59. N. end of 54 a. E. P’t of 262 a. W. side.. .37/$^- j 

Clinton : 

61. What remains of 351 a. N. E. cor. 320. r. N. and 
S. and 175$r. E. and W. after, ex. so much 
thereof as is contained in 286 a. E. P’t of 


lot. 65 

73. Sub. 7...*. 60 

79. Ex. 78 a. S. E. cor. 562 

85. N. E. cor., 380 r. long. N. and S. 98 r. wide E. 

and W 232 

85. On S. line 132 r. E. from S. W. cor., 195 r. long 

N. and S. and 45 r. wide E. and W. 50 


Plattsburgh Old Patent. 


Plattsburgh : 

66. S. E. $. 100 

Platt's 6,600 a. Patent. 

Schuyler Falls: 

5. N. $. 110 

Refugee Tract. 

333$ a. Lots. 

Saranac: 

10. In Saranac, adj. Ill a. W. end. 36 




























on State Land Survey. 495 

Refugee Tract — continued. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

Plattsburgh: 

10 . E. P’t in Plattsburgh. 177 

16. N. E. cor. 50 

420 a. Lots. 

Chazy : 

7. S. E. cor. 45 

% 

Altona: 

57. 420 

83. Small lot this the whole. 290 

84. 420 

108. 420 

109. 420 

Mooers: 

149. S. P’t. 156 

176. S. E. cor. 48 

Altona: 

190. Ex. 96y 6 ^ a. N. E. cor. b’d 23 c. by lot line, 

W. by line running S. 10 ° 31' W. 41 c. 41 1. 
to turnpike, S. by line running S. 76° E. 12 c. 

94 1. and S. 72° 45' E. 10 c. 13 1. to lot line 
and E. by lot line, 65-^^ a. S. E. cor. b’d 1ST. 
by turnpike and W. by Vincent’s land ; 40 a. b’d 
N. 12 c. 17 1 . by turnpike, E. by Vincent’s 
land, S. by lot line and W. by line par’l to E. 
line, and ex. 118 a. N. W. Cor. 100AA 

Mooers: 

195. W. !. 210 

197. W. i of S. W. }. 52j ) 

197. B’d N. by P. Stafford, E. by W. Brisben, S. by > 

J. Tall man and W. by E. White. 52 J ) 

203. E. P’t, b’d W. by Keillis. 100 

204. S. E. cor. 12 

210 . JN. W. } and W. % of S. W. }. 157 

Altona: 

223. N. P’t of S. E. }. 51 

225. All in Altona. 225 

Dannemora: 

225. All in Dannemora. 195 

229. S. K cor., 33 a. and S. W. cor. 33 a. 66 

Plattsburgh: 

241. Ex. 57|- a. E. \ of S. E. J. 367|- 

Plattsburgh and Schuyler Falls : 

250. E. P’t of W. J.... 83 

Plattsburgh : 

252. Sub. 8 . 11* 

252. Sub. 9. 12 } 
























196 


Report of Yerplanck Colvin 


ESSEX COUNTY. 

LIST OF LANDS BELONGING TO THE STATE. 


Total number of acres 133,447.91 

DETAILED STATEMENT. 

Essex Tract. 

Henry’8 Survey. 

Town and lot. Area in acres 

Keene: 

128. N. P’t Taylor mill lot. 1 

228.. 102 

231... 200 

Gore between Thurman’s Hoad Patent and Hoffman Township. 
Scbroon: 

3. 92 

Hoffman Township. 

A. 200 

B. 200 

D. E. P’t, in Scbroon, 100 a. ex. 50 a. being so 
much of 55 a. N. P’t of lot as is contained therein, 50 

E. E. P’t, in Scbroon. 50 

Minerva: 

E. W. P’t, in Minerva. 150 

Schroon: 

E. 250 

1. S. W. I .. 62^ 

5 . Ex. und. £ paid by Finch, Pruyn & Co. 125 

6 . 250 

7 . 250 

8 . 250 

9. S. W. cor., 89 a. ex. 79 a. S. W. cor. thereof.. 10 

14. 250 

15. N* W. { . 62£ 



















on State Land Survey. 


197 


Town and lot. 

16. Ex. S. E. ^. 

18. 

20 . 

28. S. 4. 

29. 

43. 

66 . W. P’t. 

74. W. i and 75 a. N. P’t of E. 4 


Area in acres. 

. 185 

. 250 

. 250 

. 125 

. 250 

. 250 

. 90 

. 200 
. 250 


Minerva: 

94. Ex. 90 a. W. P’t and 125 a. S. E. cor. b’d W. by 

90 a. W. P’t of lot. 35 


Eliza oethtown: 

142. 

213. N. end 


Iron Ore Tract. 


63 

140 


Jay Tract 


Wilmington : 

5. E. or E’ly Pt. 118 

6 . 300 

25. 200 

32. Ex. 200 a. N. P’t. 150 

51. N. end. 140 


Maul's Patent . 

Chesterfield: 

30. All in Chesterfield. 75 

45. Same. 100 

46. Same. 100 

47. Same. 75 

50. N. i . 100 

56. 200 

Morgan's {Jonas) Patent of 4,800 a. 

Westport: 

16. Bonded when sold to State. 100 

North River Head Tract. 

North Hudson : 

13 . 160 

14 . 160 

22 . 160 

23. 160 

46. 160 

Elizabethtown : 

83. N. in Elizabethtown. 80 

84. Same.. 80 

































198 


Report of Yerplanck Colvin 


North River Read Tract — continued. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

North Hudson: 

84. S. in North Hudson. 80 

Elizabethtown: 

98. Ex. N. W. . 120 

103. 160 

104. 160 

110 . 160 

126. 160 


128 and 129. Being the bed of the Boquet river, and 
land b’d beg. 3 ft E'ly from a black cherry tree 
in the highway fence nearly opposite the dwelling- 
house of Elisha Holcomb, th. N. 11° E.3 r. and 171. 
toE. bank of said river, th. down said river on its 
E. bank N. 65° 30' E. 20 r. to the top of the lower 
falls, th. continuing on said E. bank N.-50° E. 42 
r. to S. line of lot 2 Roaring Brook tract, th. W. 
on said S. Hue 17 r. and 15 1., th. S. 50° W. 29 r., 
th. S. 65* 30 W. 12 r., th. N. 73° W. 16 r., th. 17° 

W. 12 r. to a point 4 r. up stream (on E. bank 
of said river) from the top of the upper or Split 
Bock Forge Falls, th. S. 50° E. 16 r. to a large rock 
near the west wheel track of the State road and th. 

85° E. 10 r. to beg. 6 


Old Military Tract. 


Township 1, Thorn's Survey. 

Elizabethtown: 

16. S. W. i. 

Lewis: 

44. Bonded October 18, 1847. 

50. Ex. und. f paid by Albany and Rensselaer Iron 
& Steel Co. 

Elizabethtown : 

55. W. -J, in Elizabethtown. 


81. 

Keene: 

88 . 

115. 

Townships 1 and 2, Richard's Survey. 

Wilmington: 

13. 

14. N. W. cor. 

is.;; 

50. N. P’t, in Wilmington. 


40 


160 

38 ^ 


106 

160 

160 


160 

102 


64 

57 

315 

187 





















199 


on State Land Survey. 

Township 1, etc. — continued. 

Town and lot. . . > Area in acres. 

51. All in Wilmington. 205 

52. N. P’t, in Wilmington. 254 

54. Ex. E. | of W. i . . 835 

56. 382 

Keene: 

65... 700 

69. 760 

93. 350 

Township 11 . 

St. Armand : 

1 . 120 

6 . 160 

North Elba: 

15. 160 

20 . 160 

St. Armand: 

22 . 160 

26. 160 

28. Ex. 110 a. N. W. cor. 50 

North Elba: 

34 . 160 

35 . 160 

38 . 160 

39 . 160 

40. .. 160 

St. Armand: 

41. W. P’t. 103 

42 . 160 

43 . 160 

45. S. W. i. 40 

50. 160 

North Elba: 

55. N. \ . 80 

58 . 160 

59 . 160 

60 . 160 

St. Armand : 

69. 160 

70. Ex. S. W. i. 120 

71. 160 

North Elba: 

72. 160 

73. 160 



































I 


4 

200 Report of Verplanck Colvin 

Township 11, 0. M. T. — continued . 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

74 . ioo 

77. 1<’0 

78. Ex. S. W. i. 120 

79.. 100 

80. 100 

81. 160 

St. Armand : 

86. S. P’t. 120 

88. 160 

90. 100 

91. 160 

North Elba: 

93. 160 

98. Ex. N. W. i . 120 

99. 160 

100... 160 

St. Armand: 

107 . 160 

108 . 160 

109 . 100 

110 . 160 

North Elba: 

115. Ex. N. W. i . 120 

117 . 200 

118 . 160 

120. 160 

St. Armand : 

122. 160 

124 . 160 

125 . 160 

127 . 160 

128 .. 160 

129 . 160 

130 . 160 

North Elba : 

133 ...'. 160 

134 . 160 

135 . 160 

136. Ex. N. W. J. 90 

137. N. W. J-. 50 

139. Ex. N. E. £ and S. W. J. 80 

140. 160 







































on State Land Survey. 201 

Township 11, 0. 21. T. — continued. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

St. Arinand : 

144 . 160 

145 . 160 

146 . 160 

147 . 160 

148 . 160 

149 . ] 60 

150 . 160 

North Elba : 

154 . 160 

155 . 160 

156. N. W. cor. 70 

157. 200 

159. N. \ . 80 

160. Ex. S. E. { . 120 

St. Armand : 

164 . 200 

165 . 200 

166 . 200 

167 . 200 

168 . 200 

169. Ex. S. E. i . 150 

North Elba : 

174. Ex. 70 a. N. W. cor. 90 

175. Ex. N. E. £. 120 

176. 120 

178 . 200 

179 . 130 

180. Ex. S. E . I . v . 120 

St. Armand : 

181. W. side. 100 

182. 300 

184. 300 

1S5. Ex. N. E. i . 225 

186 . 300 

187 .,. 160 

188. 160 

North Elba : 

193. 160 

195. 160 

196. Ex. S. W. 1 . 90 

197... 200 

198. Ex. S. W.^and und. fofS.E. ^ paid by Amanda 

Lyon. 113 

199. Ex. N. W. 4. 150 

200 . 160 

[Assem. Doc. No. 126.] 


26 











































202 


Report of Vrrplanck Colvin 
Township 11, 0. M. T. — continued. 


Town and lot. 

JSt. Armand: 

203. ... 

204. ... 

205. ... 

206 . .. . 

207. .. . 

208. ... 
209. .. . 
211 . ... 


Area in acres. 

. 160 
. 160 
. 160 
. 160 
. 160 
. 160 
. 160 
. 160 


North. Elba: 

213. 160 

215. 160 

218. Ex. nnd. f of N. E. and und. § of S. W. 

paid by O. Able, Jr. 106J- 

St. Armand: 

223. 160 

224. Ex. K E. i. 120 

225 . 160 

226 . 160 

227. 160 

228. 160 

230 . 160 

231 . 160 


North Elba: 

232 . 

233 . 

234. Ex.. S. 13. ^.................... 

St. Armand: 


241. 

242. 

243. 

244. 

245. 

246. 

247. 

248. 

249. 

250. 

251. 


• •••• 


160 

160 

120 


120 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 


North Elba: 

252. 160 

253. N. E. £. 40 

St. Armand: 

262. 160 

263. 160 







































203 


f 




on State Land 


Survey. 


Township 11, 0. M. T. — continued . 

Town and lot. 

264. Ex. S. E. i. 

265. 

266. ..:. 

267. 

269. Ex. 100 a. N. W. cor. . ■. 

270 . 

271 . 

North Elba: 

275. 


St. Armand : 

282... 

283 . 

284 . 

2S5. 

286. 

287 . 

288 . 

289 . 

290 . 

291 . 

303 . 

304 . 

305 . 

306 . 

307 . 

308 . 

309 . 

310 . 

North Elba: 

317 . 

318 .'. 

St. Armand: 

321 . 

322 . 

323 . 

325. Ex. N. E. £ .. 

326. .. 

327 ... 

328 . 

329 . 

330 . 

North Elba : 

333. 

337*. Ex* N.E.J 

338. 


• • •••••••• • • 


Area in acres. 
. 120 
. 16o 

. 160 
. 160 
60 

. 160 
. 160 


160 


160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

120 

120 

120 

120 

120 

120 

120 

120 


200 

160 


120 

160 

160 

120 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 


40 

150 

160 










































204 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


Township 11, 0. M. T. — continued . 

Town and lot. 

St. Armand : 


347. 

350. 


North Elba: 


354. 

355. 
357. 


358. 


359. S. E. . 

360. N. i . 


Area in acres. 


160 

160 


160 

160 

200 

160 

40 

80 


Township 12 . 

Richards’ Survey. 

1 . Sub. 3. ... 155. 

2 . Sub.. 3. 160 

3 . 1440 

4 ... 835 

5 . 620 

6 . K \ . 720 

7. Sub. 1 . 160 

7; Sub. 2 . 160 

10. Sub. 1 . 187 

10 . Sub. 2 . 152 

13. 620 

17. Sub. 2 . 155 

-1- t • ' [t 1 j * 31 • i . • • i 3 8 ■. 

22 . Ex. 700 a. S. P’t. 740 

23. Sub. 1 . 160 

23. Sub. 2 .Ex. S. E. J. 120 

23. Sub. 3. 188 

23. Sub. 4. 188 

24. Sub. 1 N. £, | and S. W. J. 83§ 

24. Sub. 2 . 167 

24. Sub. 3. 150 

24. Sub. 4, N. W. f. 37£ 

30 . 1440 

31 . 640 

32 S. \ . 320 

33. Ex. N. E. ^ of N. E. ^ and N. E. £ of S. E. \ .. 560 

34 . 640 

35 . 1440 

37 . 861 

38 . 1440 

39 . 640 

40 .'... 614 

41 . 539 

43. 1278 









































on State Land Survey. 


205 


Township 12, 0. M. T. — continued . 


Town and lot. Area in acres. 

Thorn's Survey. 

1 . Ex. S. E. J. 120 

2 . 160 

3. 160 

4. Ex. S. E. 1 . 120 

5. Same. 120 

6 . Same. 120 

7 . 160 

8 . 160 

9. 160 

10 . 160 

11 . N. W. J- and S. E. \ . 80 

12 . 160 

14. 160 

15. Ex. N. W. \ 120 

16. .. 160 

17 . 160 

18 ... 160 

19 . 160 

20 ... 160 

91 Fy NT V l 190 

Jmj 1 • JL J A • -A." » -A J • ^ •••• •••••»«• • • • • •••••••• •••• It* -1- Jmj v_/ 

22 . N. 4. 80 

23. N. W. j- and S. E. £. 80 

24. Ex. . E. . . ... .... .... .... ................ 1.04 

25 . 160 

26 . 160 

27.:. 160 

28. Ex. N. E. \ . 120 

29 . 160 

30 . 160 

31. S. i . 80 

32 . 160 

33 . 160 

34 . 160 

35. Ex. N. W. i . 120 

36 . 160 

37 . 160 

40 . 160 

41 . 160 

42. Ex. N. "W. 4. 120 

43. 160 

47 . 160 

48. N. E. 4 . 40 

49. Ex. S.W. 4. 120 

50. 160 

53 . 160 

54. Ex. S. E. J. 120 


i 















































206 


Report of Yerflanck Colvin 


Township 12, 0. M. T. — continued. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 


56. S. W. \ . 

57. 

59. N. i . 

60. JN. W. \ . 

61. 

62. Ex. S. E. J. 

63. Ex. 1ST. W. J.,. 

64 . 

65 . 

67. Ex. Y. W. J. 

69. Ex. S. W. . 

70. 

83. Ex. 8 . W. . 

84. Same. 

90 . 

91 ... 

96. 

98.. 

101 . Starcli mill, b’d beg. in the west brancli of the 
Ausable River 30 ft. below Fenoot & Thompson’s 
saw-mill, th. N. E’ly 40 ft. to a large rock, th. S. 
E’ly 60 ft., th. S. W’ly 40 ft. and th. N. W’ly 
60 ft. to beg. 


40 

160 

80 

40 

160 

120 

120 

160 

160 

120 

120 

160 

120 

120 

160 

160 

160 

160 


ft. 

2400 


acres. 


115. N.E.} . 

121. Ex. N. W. £ 

123. 

126. 

129 . 

130 . 

131 . 


132. Ex. S.E.J . 

134. N. W. J and S. E 
135.:. 


i 

¥ 


136. 

137. Ex. N. E. { . 

138. N. E. £ and S. W. % 

139. W. end of N. \ . 

141. Ex. S. E. J-. 

142. W. I . 

146. K j- and S. E. £- 

147. ... 

148. Ex. S. W. |. 

149. 

153 . 

154 . 



40 

120 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

120 

80 

160 

160 

120 

80 

20 

120 

80 

120 

160 

120 

160 

160 

160 










































on State Land Survey. 


207 


Paradox Tract. 

Town and lot. 

Ticonderoga: 

24. 

39. 


Area in acres. 


100 

100 


Schroon : 

85. Ex. und. ^ paid by Roth. 80 

88 . Ex. 25 a. N. W. cor. 135 

89. 160 

95. 160 

135. 200 


North Hudson : 

172. Ex. und. ^ assessed to Crown Point Iron Co.... 


174. 

184. 

185. 

217. 

224. 

230. 

239. 

239. Ex. und. f assessed in 1868 to Crown Point Iron 


N. Ft. 


Co., and in 1870 to Jas. E. Pond 


80 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

53 ) 

54 j 


Moriah : 

292. 160 

293. Ex. 80 a. N. W. cor. 80 

294... 160 

295. W. side 110 a., ex. und. thereof Adirondack 

Co.’s land. 36J 

314 . 160 

315 . 160 

North Hudson: 

350. 160 

353 . 160 

354 .. . 100 

358. N. side. 70 

402. N. W. cor., square. 70 

Moriali : 

412. 160 

North Hudson : 

413. 160 

427. N. W. cor. 49 


Peru Bay Tract. 


459-jnr 


Chesterfield : 
113. ... 

































208 


Report of Yerplanck Colvin 


Roaring Brook Tract. 

Town and lot. Area in a< 

Elizabethtown : 

2. 243 

5 . E. P’t in Elizabethtown. 100 

Keene : 

5 . W. P’t in Keene. 150 

11 . 240 

12 . 240 

14 . 240 

15 . 240 

Elizabethtown: 

16. E. P’t in Elizabethtown. 100 

Keene : 

16. W. P’t in Keene.. . — 150 

Elizabethtown : 

26. 300 

2 S. E. P’t in Elizabethtown. 100 

Keene: 

28. W. P’t in Keene. 160 

29 . 300 

30 . 300 

31 . 160 

32 . 160 

39. 300 

41. 160 

Elizabethtown: 

42. E. P’t in Elizabethtown. 100 

Keene : 

42. W. P’t in Keene. 150 

Elizabethtown : 

48. E. or E. P’t in Elizabethtown. 150 

Keene: 

48. W. i. 150 

50.... . 300 

51 ... 300 

52 . . 160 

57. Ex. und. ± paid by O. Abel, Jr. and nnd. -J- paid 

by Henry Glidden. 100 

58. Same.. 100 

59. Same. 100 

65. W. P’t or W. | in Keene. 150 

66 . Ex. imd|- paid by O. Abel, Jr. and und. i- paid 

by Henry Glidden. 100 



































on State Land Survey, 
South Tract. 
Stower's Survey. 


209 


Town and lot. 

Lewis : 

12 . E. end 

21 . 

31. 

Jay: 

33. 


Area in acres. 


22 

235 

244 


160 


Ticonderoga: 

35 . 

36 . 

37 . 

38 . 

39 . 

66 . 


Stoughton's Patent. 


i 

i 

i 


i 

T 

1 

¥ 


Totten and Crossfield’s Purchase. 

Township 14. 

N. \ and S. E. J. 


Minerva: 

9. 220 

10 . S. £. 110 

11 . 160 

12. 240 

14. 160 

20 . All in Essex Co. 131 

29. Same. 80 

30. KE.J . 40 

32 . 160 

33 . 160 

34. W. i . 80 

38. .. 160 

40. 160 

41. S. Ft. 15 

42. E. Ft... 140 

57. E. £. 80 

58 . 160 

59 . 160 

75. S. E. P’t 56 a. and W. P’t 106 a. ex. 56 a. being 

so much of 60 a. N. P’t of lot as is contained 

therein. 106 

82. 160 

86 . All in Essex Co. 100 

[Assem. Doc. No. 126.] 


27 


































210 Report of Verplanck Colvin 

Township 16. 

Town and lot. 

13 . 

14 . 

15 . 

16 . K W. }. 

IT. Same. 

20 . .. 

22. Ex. 100 a. IT. end and 100 a. S. end 

23. Same... 

24. E. \ . 

Township 25, Bailey’s Patent. 


2. E. end. 70 

8. 98 

q 98 

n]:::::::::::::::::. 100 

15. 100 

17. 100 

37. W. A. 5° 

54. N. A. 50 

74. .... . 100 

75. 100 

79. 100 

Dominick?s Patent. 

52. IT. E. cor. 50 a. and S. W. cor. 50 a. 100 

53. N. A. 10° 

58. S. J. 100 

Thorn’s Survey. 

1 114 

5* 136 

15. Ex. TO a. N. W. cor. 90 

23 . 160 

24 . 160 


Township 26. 

18. 

20 . 

21 . 

25. 

26. W. P’t. 

28. 

29. 

30. Ex. 100 a. IT’ly end... 

35. 


200 

200 

200 

192 

84 

160 

160 

100 

160 


Area in acres 
. 1000 
. 1000 
. 1000 
. 250 

. 250 

. 1000 
. 800 
. 800 
. 500 







































211 


on State Land Survey. 

Township 26, etc. — continued. 

and lot. 

43.'... 200 

48... 240 

52. Ex. 33 a. 24. E. cor., 15 c. wide 24. and S. and 

22 c. long E. and W. 167 

53. W. ex. 21 a. 24. W. cor., 15 c. long N. and S. 

and 14 c. wide E. and W. 79 

57 . 200 

58 . 200 

62. 200 

66 . 200 

67 . 200 

68 . 200 

74. 244 

78. 244 

81. 244 

82. S. \ . 122 

84. 266 

89. Ex. 80 a. on W’ly line 19 c. from S. W. cor., 20 

c. wide N. and S. 40 c. long E. and W. 156 

92 . 236 

93 .,. 236 

94 . 236 

98 . 236 

99 . 236 

101. 236 

102 . Ex. 100 a. 24. P’t and 50 a. 24. W. cor. of rem. 86 

103. 24. end 50 a. and all of 43 a. S. E. cor. covered by 

200 a. W. P’t or 200 a. 24. W. P’t and is not 
covered by 6 T 3 ¥ a. S. E. cor., 21 c. long N. and 
S. and 3 c. wide E. and W. 34 a. 84 

104. E. P’t 122 a. ex. 7 a. being so much thereof as 

is included in 41^ a. S. W. cor. of lot 21 c. 
wide 24. and S., 31 c. long on jN. line and 8 c. 
on S. line, b’d E. by lake, and 2 a. S. E. cor. 
thereof, 5 c. on E. and 6 c. on S. line, b’d 24. 

W. by lake. 113 

109. Ex. 100 a. b’d beg. 11 c. S. of 2L W. cor., th. 

24. 59° E. 42 c. to E’ly line of lot, th. S. 31° 

E. 24 c., th. S. 59° W. 42 c., across the lot to 
the W’ly line thereof and tl;. 24. 31° W. 24 c. to 

beg. 136 

114. W. 1 . 118 

117. 24. P’t (Geo. W. Gilletts).. . 80 

118. 24. P’t, 30 a., S. P’t, 126 a., and 24. W. cor., square 

of 58 a. remaining after ex. 60 a. 24. P’t and 118 
a. S. P’t of lot, 15 a. 171 
































212 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


Township 27, Richard's Survey. 

Town and lot. 

Newcomb: 

6 . 

.. 

.. 

15. 

21 . 

22 . 

23. 

25 . 

26 . 

27 . 

28 . 

36. N. E. cor. 

37. 


Area in acres 

. 233 

. 250 

,. 160 
,. 160 
.. 160 
. 160 
160 
160 

.. 160 
.. 160 
.. 160 
.. 70 

.. 250 


Thorn's Survey. 


16. 80 

17. Ex. 65 a. N. W. cor. 25 

18. 80 

19. 80 

23. 160 

24... 160 

33 . 160 

35 . 160 

36. 160 

42. 160 

43 . 160 

44 . 160 

45 . 160 

46. 160 

47 . 160 

48. 160 

49 . 160 

51. 160 

52. 160 

53 . 160 

54 . 160 

55 . 160 

56 . 160 

57 ..:. 160 

58 . 160 

59. 160 

61. 160 

62. 160 

63 . 160 

64 . 160 

65 . 160 














































on State Land Survey. 213 

Township 27, etc. — continued. 

Town and lot. Area in acres- 

66. 160 

67 . 160 

68 . 160 

69. 160 

Township 30. 

Minerva: 

1. E. i and 200 a. N. Ft and 100 a. S. Ft of W. £. 800 

2. 1000 

5... 1000 

6. All in Minerva. 975 

North Hudson: 

6. All in North Hudson. 25 

Minerva: 

7. All in Minerva. 750 

8. All in Minerva. 400 

9. All in Minerva. 25 

North Hudson: 

9. All in North Hudson. 975 

10. Ex. 200 a. assessed to Dudley or David Durgin, 
b’d beg. at a hemlock stake standing S. 30° E. 50 
c. from N. E. cor. of lot, th. S. 60° W. 40 c. to 
a cor. in the Dudley Pond, th. S. 30° E. 50 c. 
to a birch tree for a corner, th. N. 60° E. 40 c. 
to a spruce tree on E’ly line of lot and th. N. 

30° W. 50 c. to beg. 800 

11. 1000 

12. 1000 

13. Ex. 100 a. S. end or S. E. P’t. 900 

Minerva: 

15. All in Minerva. 250 

North Hudson: 

15. All in North Hudson. 650 

Minerva: 

16. All in Minerva. 550 

North Hudson : 

16. All in North Hudson. 425 

17. All in N orth Hudson. 300 

Minerva: 

18. All in Minerva. 700 

North Hudson: 

18. All in North Hudson. 250 


























214 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


Township 30 — continued. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

Minerva: 

19. All in Minerva. 800 

North Hudson : 

19. All in North Hudson. 150 

Minerva: 

20. All in Minerva. 900 

North Hudson: 

20. All in North Hudson. 100 

Minerva: 

21. All in Minerva. 955 

North Hudson: 

21. All in North Hudson. 50 

Minerva: 

22. 1000 

23. 1000 

24. Ex. 200 a. b’d N. by Van Dusen’s Creek, E’ly 
and Why by lot lines and S’ly by line at right 
angles to E’ly and Why line. 800 

Township 50. 

Newcomb: 

87. 160 

92. 160 

95 . 160 

96 . 160 

97 ... 160 

98 and 99. 173 

103. . 180 

104 . 180 

105 . 180 

106 . 180 

108 . 183 

109 . 160 

110 .... 160 

111 . 236 

112 . 236 

115 and 116. 299 

117 . 236 

118 . 236 

119 . 236 

120 . 236 

121. 160 


































on State Land Survey. 


215 


Town and lot. 

Tract West of Hoad Patent. 

North Hudson: 

4... 


10. 

11 . .... 

27. Ex. und. £ R. R. lands. 

28. Same . 

29. Same... 

35. 

43. 

47. 

Schroon: 

65. 

67.... 

113. Ex. und. -J- paid by R. Seaman 

Minerva: 

168. All in Minerva. 

Schroon: 

168. E. P’t in Schroon. 

178. 


Area in acres. 


160 

160 

160 

160 

80 

80 

80 

160 

160 

160 


127 

160 

63 


60 


60 


White Face Mountain Tract. 

North Elba: 

1. Ex. und. £ paid by Eliza A. Carter. 749 

2. All in North Elba, ex. und. \ thereof paid by 

Eliza A. Carter. 400 

Wilmington : 

2. N. P’t in Wilmington, ex. und. \ thereof paid 

by Eliza A. Carter. 241^- 

North Elba: 

5. All in North Elba, ex. und. £ thereof paid by 

Eliza A. Carter. 765|- 

Wilmington: 

5. N. P’t in Wilmington, ex. und. \ thereof paid by 

Eliza A. Carter. 300 
























216 


Report of Yerplanck Colvin 


FRANKLIN COUNTY- 

LIST OF LANDS BELONGING TO THE STATE. 


Total number of acres, 150,179.176. 

DETAILED STATEMENT. 

Gore East of Township 9, Old Military Tract. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

Bellmont: 

8. 160 

28. 160 

Macomb’s Purchase, Great Tract 1. 

Township 8. 

Brandon: 

22. S. i of S. E. £. 25 

45. B’d N. by land of A. Campbell, E. by Hinman 
and Harmon’s land, S. by L. Brown’s land and 
W. by lot line. 15 

Township 11. 

2. Sub. 2. 69 

Township 12. 

Duane: 

3. N. E. cor. 100 

4. Same.,. 98 

6. N. E. corner 142 a. and S. W. cor. 200. 342 

ill E. of Highway, ex. 77 a. b’d N. and E. by 
land of J. B. or John Duane and S. by Har¬ 
riet Duane’s land and 41 a. b’d beg. at S. W. cor. 
of the Conley lot, th. E. 22 c., tli. S. 17 c. 15 1. 
to S. line of lot, th. W. on lot line to middle 
of Malone Road, th. N. on said road to beg.. 415 

. 556 

. 636 


8 . 

10 . 













on State Land Survey. 
Towns hiv 12 — continued. 


217 


Town and lot 


Area in acres 


13. 

1G. 

17. 

10. IS 1 . of Turnpike, b’d N. and E. by G. AY. or Mary- 
01 instead’s land, S. by Port Kent and II op kin- 
ton Turnpike and W. by G.AY. McNeil’s land.. 
19. All S. of Turnpike, ex. 180 a. b’d beg. in the 
center of the Port Kent or Port Kent and 
Ilopkinton Turnpike at a point 82°|- E. 11 c. 351. 
from the intersection of said road with the W. 
line ot lot, th, S. 40 c. th. E. 43 c. to the AY. bank 
of the outlet of Horse Shoo Pond, th. N. along 
said bank, as it winds and turns, to the center 
of said Port Kent or Port Kent and Hopkin- 
ton Turnpike, and th. AV’ly along center of said 

Turnpike 55 c. to beg. 

21. Sub. 2..... 

21. Sub. 3. 

21. Sub. 5, N. W. Cor. 

21. Sub. 6, AY. J. 

22. Sub. 1. 

24. Ex. 200 a. AY. side..... 

25. Sub. 3... 

26. 

29. S. }. 

30. Ex. 50 a. N. E. cor. and 50 a, N. AY. cor. 

31. E. centre P’t b’d N. by land of J. Sheffield, E. 

by lot line, S. by land of S. Ivempton and AY. 

by Malone Poad. .. 

31. S. \Y. cor... 

33 . 

34 . 

35. AY. \ . 

36. Ex. 100 a. S. AY. cor. O. II. Booth, Poughkeep¬ 

sie, K Y. 

37. 

42. 


617 

640 

650 


20 


202 

100 

100 

62 

50 

96 

247 

100 

679 

328 

493 


40 

175 

595 

685 

338 

5S4 

630 

641 


43. Ex. 76 a. N. E. cor. and 15 a. being so much of 
91 a. more or less, N. E. P’t, 37 c. 341. on N. 

25 c. 37 1. on E. 35 c. 60 1. on S. and about 24 
c. 57 1. on AY. as is not contained in said 76 a. 552 


46 . 610 

47 . 652 

48. Ex. 100 a. N. AY. Cor. 463 

50...'. 483 

54 . 501 

55 . 443 

56 . 468 


[Assem. Doc. No. 126 .] 


28 






























218 


’Report of Verplanck Colvin 


Town and lot. 

Brandon : 


Township 14. 

South * and North East * 


Area in acres 


8. N. of * S. *. 
11. Same. 

13. N. f. 

14. K f of S. f. 

15. S 4. 


16. S. f of K f. 

17. S. f. 

18. N. W". * and S. * of S. E. £. 

19. 


20. N. * S. * and N. | of S. f 
23. N. 1 


TT 


¥ 


24. N. * of E. * and N. * of S. W. *. 

25. Ex. N. * and S. J. 

27. N. * of S. 4. 


28. S. * and N. * of S. f 

29. N. *. 

34. S.f. 


40i 

33 

101 * 

76 

73 

70f 

82 -f 

97? 

169 

1064 

36 

72 

65^ 

39 
68 * 

40 
78 


35. Ex. N. * and S. *. 69 J 


38. S. i of N. 

41. 


. 39f 

. 178 

. .. 69* 

4^3 

46. N. * and S. *. 123f 

47. Ex. N. 4- and S. 4-. 


42. N. f. 

45. K 4 of S. 4 


43 
78 

51. N, f and S. *... 148 

52. Kf. 109* 


48. N. f of W. * 


54. S. * of N. f. 374 

55. N. f and N. * of S. f. Ill 


T 


61. N. * and N. * of S. * 


57. N. * and S.f. 156* 

58. N. f of S. f... 76* 

59. S. *... 43 

. 83 

. 354 

. 70 

... 108 

. 73* 

. ■ 78 

. 36* 

. 67 


62. K *. 

64. S. * and S. * of N. f. 


66. Ex. N. J and S. *. 

68. N. * and N. -J of S. f. 

69. N. * of S. f and S. * of N. f 

70. N. *. 


71. K* 

72. S. * and N. * of S. f. 84| 

73. N. 4. 1254 


77. N. J and 1ST. * of S. f. 

78. N. * of S.f.'. 

81. N. *. 


73* 

37f 

37l 














































on State Land Survey. 
Township 14 — continued. 


219 


Town and lot. 

82. S. |. 

84. N. 4 of S. f, and S. 4 of N\ 4 

86. N. | and S J .?.’ 

90. N. \ of S. i . 

96. N. I .. . 

99. N. E. |. 

100. S. i. 

101. N i. 

103. S. |. 

104. 

106. N. 4 and S. ■§ . 

107. 


Area in acres. 


36 * 

78 

126 

42i 

129 

41 


37 

37J 

39 

120 

178 

109-J- 

128 


Duane: 
1 . 
2 . 

3. 

4. 

5 . 

7. 

8 . 

9. 

10 . 


Township 15. 
North East -J. 


Ex. 345 a. E. P’t 


12 . 

13 . 

14 . 

15 . 

16. W. end. 

North West £ 

S. P’t, 1987 a. Ex. 750 a. W. end thereof 

18. 

25.. 


Brighton: 

4. 

5. 

6 . 
7* 
8 . 
9. 

10 . 

14. 

15. 

16. 


South West 


469 

469 

469 

124 

469 

469 

469 

469 

469 

469 

469 

469 

469 

95 


1237 

166 

156 


100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 










































220 Report of Yerplanck Colvin 

Township 15 — continued. 

Town and loc. Area in acres* 

17. 100 

18. 100 

19 . 100 

20 ... 100 

24 . 100 

25 . 100 

26 . 100 

27. 100 

33. 100 

36 . 100 

37 . 100 

38 . 100 

40. 100 

46 . 100 

47 . 100 

48 . 100 

49 . 100 

51 . 100 

52 . 100 

53 .... 100 

55 . 100 

56 . 100 

57 . 100 

58 . 100 

59 . 100 

60 . 100 

6L. 100 

62. 100 

63. 100 

65. E. or E. P’t. 50 

66.•. 100 

67 . 100 

68 . 100 

71 . 100 

72 . 100 

76. 100 

77,. 100 

78 . 100 

79 . 100 

80 ... 100 

« 

Township 18. 

1 . 328 

2 . 328 

4 . 328 

5 . 328 

6 . 328 






















































on State Land Survey. 


221 


Township 18 — continued. 

Town and lot. 


Area in acres. 


7. 

8 . 

9. 

10 . 

11 . 

12 . 

13. 

14. 
16. 

17. 

18. 

19. 

20 . 
21 . 
22 . 

23. 

24. 

25. 

26. 


Ex. und. \ paid by Albert Turner. 

Same. 

Ex. und. i paid by Albert Turner and und. J 

paid by Chauncey Turner. 

Same. 


Ex. und. J paid by Albert Turner and und. J 

paid by Chauncey Turner. 

Same... 

Same. 

Same .... 


e* 


246 

246 

164 

164 

328 

328 

328 

328 

328 

164 

164 

164 

164 

328 

328 

328 

328 

328 

328 


27. Ex. und. 4 paid by Albert Turner and und. \ 


paid by Chauncey Turner. 164 

28. Same . 164 

29. Same . 164 

30. Same. 164 

31 . 328 

32 . 328 

33 . 328 

34 . 328 

35 . 328 

36 . 328 

37. Ex. und. £ paid by Albert Turner and und. £ 

paid by Chauncey Turner. 164 

38. Same . 164 

39. Same .. 164 

40. Same . 164 

41 . 328 

42 . 328 

43 . 328 

44 ... 328 

45 . 328 

46. Ex. und. }■ paid by Albert Turner and und. { 

paid by Chauncey Turner. 164 

47. . 164 

48. Ex. und. £ paid by Albert Turner. 246 

49. Ex. 50 a. S. W. cor. 20 c. N. and S. and 25 c. E. 

and W. 278 a. ex. und. £ thereof paid by Albert 


* 











































222 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


Township 18 — continued. 

Town and lot. Area in acres 


Turner and und. £ thereof paid by Chauncey 

Turner. 

50. Ex. und. paid by Albert Turner and und. J 
paid by Chauncey Turner. 


56 . 

57 . 

58. W. Ft. 

66 . 

67. 

68. W. Ft. 

76. S. W. cor. 27 c. 1ST. and S. and 35 c. E. and W.. 

77. S. W. cor. or S. W. P’t 21 c. N. and S. and 36 

c. E. and AU... 

78. B’d N. and S. by lot lines, E. by land of Wm. 

Ricketson and W. by F. T. B. Weller’s land . 
87 

88*. w. fV .. ’...!.!...!!! 

97. 


139 

164 

328 

328 

243 

328 

328 

243 

94 

75 

105 

328 

243 

328 


Brandon : 


Township 20. 


Whole. 30,650 a. ex. 320 a. S. of lot 10 and 
320 a. S. \ of lot 15. 30,010 


Township 23. 

North 

E. end... 4379 

South East 

N. end 6280 a. ex. 144 a. N. W. cor. thereof 80 
c. long N. and S. by 1 8 c. wide E. and W.; 40 
a. being Birch Island, in S’lv end of the Upper 
Saranac Lake, near and in a N’ly direction from 
Cory’s Carry ; 267 a. b’d beg. at a stake and 
stones N. 2° W. 24 r. from a large rock on N’ly 
bank of the outlet to Upper Saranac Lake and 
2 r. and 10 ft. below the State Dam, called Nor¬ 
ton’s Dam, th. N. 80° E. 150 r. to a stake and 
stones standing 10 r. N. of the N. bank of said 
outlet, th. S. 10° E. 214 r. to a stake and stones 
on a high hill, th. S. 80° W. 200 r. to a stake 
and stones, th. N. 10° W. 214 r. and th. N. 80° 

E. 50 r. to beg.; 266-J-J- a. b’d beg. at a large 
rock on the S’ly shore of the Upper Saranac 
Lake, which rock is near the Indian Carry, 
nearly N. from Jesse Corry’s “ Rustic House,” 
and S. from house on Birch Island, th. N. 

34r., th. E. 114 r., th. S. 230 r., th. W. 194 r., th. 

N. 200 r., and th. E. 80 r., to beg. 5,595-^ 



















on State Land Survey. 


223 


Township 24. 


North East £. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

Harrietstown: 

W. i . 3,750 

North West 

Whole. 7,500 

South East 

Whole. 7,500 

South West 

Whole. 7,500 


Township 25. 

Waverly: 

Und. ^ of all that remains of N. -§• of Town¬ 
ship, after ex. 1295 a. E. P’t thereof and 160 
a. b’d beg. on E. shore of Big Tupper’s Lake 
at the mouth of Sucker Brook, th. S’ly along the 
shore of said lake 40 c., th. E’ly 40 c., th. N’ly 
40 c., and th. W’ly 40 c. to beg. 2,399-J 

Township 27, North West 

Harrietstown: 

B’d N. by 1961 a., N. end E. by N. E. \ S. by 
Rackett River and Pond, or Ampersand Pond 
or Lake, and the branch of Rackett River, and 
W. by a line par’l to E. line, being the same 
land conveyed by John and Thomas Appleby 
Jr., to Thomas Lawrence,Sept. 25, 1839. 1,000 


Old Military Tract. 
Township 8. 


Bellmont: 

36. N. W. cor. 200 

55. 640 

63. N. W. 4. 160 

65 . 640 

66 . 640 

86. Ex. N. W. i. 480 

87. W. £. 320 


Franklin: 

7. N. W. i 
Bellmont: 

28. 


Township 9. 



152 

















224 


Report of Yebplanck Colvin 


Township 9, 0. M T. — continued. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

Franklin: 

30. N. f of 114 a., W. P’t. 76 

Bellmont: 

45 . 160 

81. Ex. N. E. 4 . 120 

97. N. 4 and S. E. 4. 120 

99 . 160 

Franklin : 

102 Ex R. 4 of W. 120 a. 160 

Bellmont: 

127. 1164 

Franklin: 

138. S. W. 1 . 50 

147. 200 

150. 180 

Bellmont: 

152. 160 

171. 160 

173. N. E. i . 40 

Franklin: 

174. 200 

176. S. E. J .... 40 

177. N. W. i . 41 

182. S. "W. J.;. 40 

184. Same. 40 

186. Ex. N. E.J. 135 

191. Ex. S. E. 4. 120 

206. Ex. 60 a., W. P’t in Plumador Pond. 100 

213. S. E. 4. 40 

214. 200 

225. Ex. N. W. 1. 120 

Bellmont: 

228. 160 

241 . 160 

Franklin : 

242 . 160 

246. 200 

249. S. E. 4. 40 

263. 160 

Bellmont: 

264. 


160 

































on State Land Survey. 


225 


Township 9, 0. M. T. — continued. 


Town and lot. Area in acres. 

Franklin : 

2T8. Ex. N. W. J. 120 

279. 160 

283...,. 180 

296. 160 

Bellmont: 

300.;. 160 

308. E. £ ex. 13 a., W. side thereof. 67 

310. 160 

Franklin: 

315. 160 

316. Ex. S. W. \ . 120 

329. 160 

331. 200 


Bellmont: 

338. S. E i-. 

339. N. W. i. . 

341. W. i . 

Franklin : 

350. Ex. 69| a., b’d beg. in S. W. cor. of lot, th. N. 
20 c., th. N. 50 °., E. 22 c. 33 L, th. S. 40°., 
E. 30. c., th. S. 50°. W. 8 c. 33 1. to S. line of 
lot and th. W. on S. line to beg. 

352 . 

353 .,. 

355. 

356. Ex. S. W. J. 

357. N. E. i and S. W. ■£. 

358 . 

359 . 


40 

40 

80 


H^t* 

182* 

180 

200 

127 ** 

83 t 9 t 

200 

161* 


Township 10. 


15. 200 

16. Ex. S. t of 1ST. | of E. i . 166f 

17. Same. 166-J 

18. 200 

19. Ex. 80 a. E. P’t and 40 a. N. £ of W. 120 a... 80 

22. S. P’t. 64 

33. 200 

34. 200 

38. 200 

84. S. W. cor. 15 

85.... 168 

87. 168 . 

[Assem. Doc. No 126.] 29 



































226 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 
Township 10, 0. M. T. — continued. 


* 


Town and lot. 


Area In acres. 


89. 168 

90. 168 

96. 168 

106. 200 

107. 200 

112. 200 

113. 200 

114. 200 

115. 200 

126. 200 

127. 200 

128. 200 

138. 200 

141. 200 

144. Ex. K 4 of 120 a. W. Ft. 160 

152. 200 

lo6. Ex. 80 a. E. P’t and 80 a. 17. | of 120 a. W. P’t. 40 

167. 200 

168. 200 

171. 200 


179. 

185. 

186. 

187. 

188. 

189. 

190. 


193. 

198. 

199. 

200 . 

209. 

210 . 
211 . 

213. 

214. 

215. 
218. 
219. 
221 . 
222 . 


Ex. S. E. J. 

W. *. 


223. Ex. 80 a. E. P’t known as Mill Lot 


224. 


225. 


226. 

227. 

228. 


4 • • * 



200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

150 

100 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

120 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 
















































227 


on State Land Survey. 

Township 10, 0. M. T. — continued. 

Town and lot. Area In acres. 

229 . 200 

230 . 200 

231 .-_ 200 

232 . 200 

233 . 200 

250 . 200 

251 . 200 

252 . 200 

253 . 200 

254 . 200 

255 . 200 

256 . 200 

266. 200 

267. Ex. N. W. i . 150 

268. 200 

269 . 200 

270 . 200 

271. Ex. N. E. { . 150 

278. Ex. 40 a. S. £ of E. 80 a. 160 

2S0. . .:. 200 

281. 200 

285. Ex. N. W. i. 150 

287. 200 

288. E. § . 100 

289. 200 

290. S. of N. W. 16 a. and 43^- a. being so 

much of the S. E. J, as is not contained in S. J- 

of W. 120 a. 60 

292. 200 

294 . 200 

295 . 200 

296 . 200 

307. 200 

308. . 200 

309 . 200 

310 . 200 

311 . 200 

312 . 200 

313 . 200 

314. . 200 

316. Ex. 50 a. S.- W. cor. 150 

317. Ex. N. W. i. 150 

318. . 200 

319. S. $. 100 

324. Ex. S. E. }. 150 

325. Ex. 70 a. 1ST. end. 130 

327. 200 

328. . . 200 

















































228 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 
Township 10, 0. M. T. ■— continued. 


Town and lot. 

329. . 

330. . 

331. . 

332. . 

333. . 

334. . 

335. Ex. S. E. \ 

349 . 

350 ... 

351 . 

352 . 

353 . 

355 . 

356 . 

357 . 

358 . 

359 . 

360 . 


Area In acres, 
... 200 
... 200 
... 200 
... 200 
... 200 
... 200 
... 150 

... 240 

... 240 

... 240 

... 240 

... 240 

... 240 

... 240 

... 240 

... 240 

... 240 

... 240 


Bombay: 


St. Regis Reservation. 
Farm Lots . 


6. R". E. cor, 


rods. 

6 


Fort Covington: 

26. 

27. 

28. 


Mile Square on Salmon River. 
House Lots. 




















on State Land Survey. 


229 


FULTON- COUNTY. 

LIST OF LANDS BELONGING TO THE STATE. 


Total number of acres 15,248.874. 

DETAILED STATEMENT. 

Chase’s Patent. 

Town and lot. Area in acres 

Bleecker: 

8. 100 

35. 100 

37. E. P’t. 50 

44. E. i .. . *.. 50 

48. Ex. 70 a. N. W. cor. 30 

53. 100 

60. 100 

61. 100 

70. E. i . 50 

71 . 100 

72 . 100 

73 . 100 

74 . 100 

75 . 100 

77. 100 

78. 100 

79. N. W. P’t in Bleecker. 80 

Mayfield: 

81. Chase’s patent. 100 

83. All in Mayfield. 65 

Bleecker: 

83. N. W. P’t in Bleecker. 35 

Mayfield: 

92. All in Mayfield. 30 

110. N. W. cor. 30 a. and S. W. cor. 15 a. 45 

111. 100 

114. 100 

115. 100 

116. All in Mayfield.*.. •. 35 































230 Report of Yerplanck Colvin 

Glen, Bleecker & Lansing Patent. 

Town and lot. Area in acres 

2. S. £ Subs. 1 and 2. ...... . 250 

3. Sub. 1. 100 

4. Sub. 3. 99 

4. Sub. 4. 80 

4. Sub. 5. 119 

4. Sub. 6. 99 

4. Sub. 7. 99 

6. Sub. 5, S. \ . 50 

6. Sub. 7. 100 

6. Sub. 10. 100 

9. Sub. 5. 94 

9. Sub. 6. 94 

9. Sub. 7. 113 

Bleecker: 

14. Sub. 6. 100 

Mayfield: 

16. Sub. 8 E. i . 50 

17. Sub. 2. 125 

17. Sub. 3. 125 

17. Sub. 5. 125 

17. Sub. 6. 125 

17. Sub. 7 . 125 

Bleecker: 

18. Ex. 200 a. N. side. 550 

21. Sub. 3, S. \ . 52 

22. Sub. 1. 100 

25. Sub. 2, W. cor... 35 

34. Sub. 4. 200 

35. Ex. Sub’s 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and. 9, and W. \ of 

Sub’s 2 and 3. 383 

41. Sub. 6. 100 

41. Sub. 7 . 100 

41. Sub. 8 . 100 

41. Sub. 10. 100 

Caroga: 

45. Sub. 4, E. £ or E. P’t. 50 

51. Sub. 1. 125 

51. Sub. 2. 125 

51. Sub. 3. 125 

51. Sub. 5. 125 

51. Sub. 7. 125 

51. Sub. 8. 125 

52. Sub. 2. 125 

52. Sub. 3. 100 

52. Sub. 6 ..... 100 

53. Sub. 7. 125 













































on State Land Survey. 231 

Glen , etc., Patent — continued. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

53. Sub. 10. 125 

58. Sub. 8. 100 

59. Sub. 1. 100 

61. Sub. 4. * . 100 

62. S. E. cor. square, 90 a. and N. W. cor. 240 a. .. 330 

62. Sub. 2. 100 

62. Sub. 3. 100 

62. Sub. 6. 100 

62. Sub. 7. 100 

62. Sub. 8. 100 

62. Sub. 9. 100 

62. Sub. 10. 100 

63. S. P’t. 300 

68. Sub. 10... 100 

Stratford: 

71. Sub. 1 . 100 

71. Sub. 4. 100 

71. Sub. 5. 100 


82. N. E. cor. 227 a. and S. E. cor. 288 a. 515 (thereof*' 455 

83. Sub. 3. S. Ft of K £. 30 

83. Sub. 4, S. . 50 

83. Sub. 5. 100 

83. Sub. 6, Ex. 90 a. H. P’t. 10 

84. Sub. 2.... 100 

84. Sub. 4. 100 

84. Sub. 5... 100 

85. Sub. 4. 100 

85. Sub. 9, N. £. 50 

90. Sub. 1 N. P’t of 32 a. S. P’t. 4 

Jerseyfield Patent. 

32. Sub. 3, W. i . 100 

32. Sub. 5, W. ex. 123 a. E. P’t thereof, b’d W. 

by Highway. 36 

33. N. E. cor. 150 

34. All in Stratford. 130 

59. Sub. 6. 170 

60. N. E. cor. square, 20 a. and S. E. £ or S. E. cor. 

250 a. 270 

61. W. Ft. . 100 

61. S. W. cor. or W. cor. 100 

63. Ex. N. W \ and und. J of E. \ paid by Frederick 

Bronson, E. L. Smith, Atty, or John J. Town¬ 
send, Ex’r. 583|- 

64. Sub. 2 . 100 

64. Sub. 3 . 100 








































232 Report of Yerplanck Colvin 

Jersey field Patent — continued. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

66. W. t . 500 

67. All in Fulton Co. 762 a. ex. 40 a. ]S\ E. cor. 

thereof. 722 

88. All in Stratford, 363 a. ex. 100 a. N. E. cor. 

thereof . 263 

90. FI. W. \ . 250 

91. 1,000 

Kingsboro Patent. 

W esterly Allotment. 

Johnstown: 

516. N’ly P’t J. Wiley Lot. 25 

Lot and Low’s Patent. 

Ephratali: 

7. Sub. 2.*. 130 

. Caroga: 

11. Sub. 2, ex. 45-| a. S. P’t and 34J a. b’d by 

Mann, E. and W. by lot line and S. by Stone. 52 


co|-j 










on State Land Survey. 


233 


% 


HAMILTON COUNTY- 

LIST OF LANDS BELONGING TO THE STATE. 


Total Number of Acres 157,608.446. 
DETAILED STATEMENT. 


Town and lot. 

Morehouse: 


Arthurboro Patent. 


27 . 

28 . 

33. 

36. 

38. Ex. 30 a. S. W. P’t. 

41. 

47 . 

48 . 

49 . 

50 . 

51 . 

62. 

63. 

65. 

66 . N. 4. 

76. .. 

79. 

83. 

88 . 

89 .. .... 

90 . 

92 . 

93 . 

95. . 

97 . 

98. Ex. und. \ paid by T. P. Ballou 
[Assem. Doc. No. 126.] 30 


Area in acres. 


200 

200 

200 

200 

170 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

100 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

100 





























234 


Beport of Verplanck Colvin 


Bethune Tract. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 


\ 


3. 100 a. N. P’t and 25 a. N. W. cor of 200 a. S. 

Ft. 125 

5 . 120 

6 . 120 

7. 25 a. N. E. and 17 a. S. W. 42 

8. 300 

9. W. side, lying N. W. of East branch of West 

Canada Creek. 60 

14. Ex. 200 a. S. Ft. 100 

15 . 120 

16 ... 120 

17. 300 


Morehouse 8,000 Acre Tract. 


2. S. end. 50 

4 . 200 

5 . 200 

6 . 200 

7 . 200 

8 . 200 

9. 200 

10..... 200 

11. 200 

12... 200 

13. N. W. cor, 45 a. and S. W. cor. 45 a. 90 

17. S. i . 100 

20. S. end. 100 

22. 200 

23 . 200 

24 ... 200 

25 . 200 

26. W. £. 100 

29. 200 

30. N. \ and S. W. P’t. 150 

32..... . 200 

33. 200 

35. N. P’t of E. J 67 a. and W. cor. 50 a. 117 

40. JST. end. 38 

Tifft (J. G.) Tract. 

E. P’t. b’d W. by Lot 3. 1525 

Benson Township. 

Benson: 

9. 160 

14. 160 


i 








































on State Land Survey. 235 

Benson Township — continued. 

Town and lot. Area in acres 

15. N. $. SO 

28. 160 

29. 160 

43.:.. 160 

45 . 160 

46 . 160 

62. 160 

63. E. £. 80 

64. N. P’t. 40 

68.; 160 

69. 160 

75. 160 

77 . 160 

78 . 160 

79. 160 

Arietta: 

85. 160 

91 . 160 

92 . 160 

Benson : 

100. 160 

101. 160 

102. 160 

104. 160 

110. 160 

117. 107 

118. S. E. cor. square. 30 

120. N. P’t., ex. mid. J of all returned, being Adiron¬ 
dack Co.’s land. 30 

121.. 160 

123. 160 

131. 160 

Arietta: 

143 . 180 

144 . 90 

145 . 160 

146 . 160 

147 . 160 

Benson: 

149 . 160 

150 . 160 

155 . 160 

156 . 160 

157 . 160 

158 . 160 










































236 Report of Verplanck Colvin 

Benson Township — continued. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

163. Ex. nnd. £ paid by Fincli, Pruyn & Co. 80 

168..'. 160 

171. 160 

177. K |. 80 

179 . 160 

180 .. 160 

181. 160 

184. N. J. 80 

188. 160 

189. 160 


Arietta and Benson: 


190. 


Arietta: 

191. .. 

192. .. 

193 . 

194 . 

195 . 

Benson : 

197. 

198. .... 

202. 

204 . 

205 . 

206 . 

207. 

214.. 

217 . 

218 . 

219 . 

220 .. 

222.. 

223 . 

224 . 

225 .*. 

228. Ex. 25 a. S. W. cor.., 
230. Ex. 25 a. N. W. cor .. 
231. 

244 . 

245 . 

246 . 

247 . 

252 . 

253 . 

254 . 

255 . 


160 


160 

160 

200 

240 

240 


160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

135 

135 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 













































on State Land Survey. 


237 


Benson Township — continued . 

Town and lot. 

256 . 

257 .... 

258 . 

259 .'. 

260 . 

262.. 

263. 

265. 

269. 

271. 

273. Ex. 40 a. E. side. 4 . 

281. 

2S7. 

291. S. \ ... 

292. S. i . 

293. 

291. 

296 . 

297 . 

298 . 

299 . 

300 . 

301 . 

302 . 

303 . 

307. 

316. 

318. Ex. S. i. 

319 ... 

320 .:. 

321 . 

322 . 

323 . 

325. 

327 ... 

328 ... 

329 . 

330 . 

Wells: 

331 . 

332 . 

333 . 

336. . . 

338. 

345. 

351 . 

352 . 


Area in acres. 

,. 160 

,. 160 
. 160 
. 160 
. 160 
. 160 
. 160 
. 160 
. 160 
. 160 
. 120 
. 160 
. 160 
80 
80 

. 160 
. 160 
. 160 
. 160 
. 160 
. 160 
. 160 
. 160 
. 160 
. 160 
. 160 
. 160 
. 120 
. 160 
. 160 
. 160 
. 160 
. 160 
. 160 
. 160 
. 160 
. 160 
. 160 


180 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

















































238 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


Town and lot. 


Benson Township — continued . 


Area in acres. 


353 ....... 160 

354 . 160 

355 . 160 

357. Ex. 50 a. S. E. cor. 110 

358. 160 

360 . 180 

361 . 160 

362 . 160 

368. 160 

374. Ex. 90 a. N. W. cor., and 35 a. being all that re¬ 
mains of 160 a. N. P’t after ex. 125 a. N. W. 

cor. thereof. 55 

375 . 160 

376 . 160 

377 . 160 

378 . 160 

379 . 160 

380 . 160 

381 . 160 

382 . 160 


BERGEN’S PURCHASE. 

Patent No. 1. 

7. Ex. 90 a. N. W. cor. 10 

9. 100 

11. 100 

Patent No. 3. 

Hope: 

Being that part of patent No. 3 b’d N. by Wells, 

W. by Benson Township and S. by Patent 
No. 4. 450 


Patent No. 4. 


All in Hope. 200 

Patent No. 5. 

1 . 273 

2 . 273 

3 ... 273 






























on State Land Survey. 


239 


Patent No. 6. 


East Side of Sacandaga River , East Part of 


North 

Town and lot. % Area in acres 

1. Sturges Lot. 100 * 

2. 100 

4. W. P’t. 75 

East Part of South J. 

1. Sturges Lot. 100 

2. Sturges Lot. 100 

West Side of Sacandaga River. 

All. 668 

* 

Patent No. 7. 

5. Ex. 50 a. N. end owned by James Hayes. 223 

6. 273 


Patents No. 8 and 9. 


7. 108 

11. N. W’ly 4. 54 

12. 108 


Patent No. 11. 

5. Ex. 30 a. S. W. and 25 a. N. W. ... 


218 


Chase’s Patent. • 

Benson : 

101 . 

102 . 

103. 

105 . 

106 . 

107 . 

108 . 

116. N’ly P’t.. 

117 . 

118 . 

119 . 

120 . 


100 

100 

160 

160 

100 

100 

100 

40 

100 

100 

100 

100 


Glen, Bleecker & Lansing Patent. 

1. Sub. 3. 127 

1. Sub 4. 110 



























240 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


Glen, etc ., Patent — continued. 


Town and lot. Area in acres.- 

1. Sub. 6. 129 

i. Sub. 7. 109 

1. Sub. 8. no 

1. Sub. 9. 125 

2. Sub. 5. 125 

2. Sub. 6. 150 

2. Sub. 7. 150 

2. Sub. 8. 150 

6. Sub. 1. 100 

6. Sub. 2. 100 

6. Sub. 3. 96 

6. Sub. 4. 100 

6. Sub. 6. 100 

8. Sub. 1. S. Ft. 60 

8. Sub. 2. 150 

8. Sub. 3. 150 

8. Sub. 6... 220 

8. Sub. 7, S. Ft. 29 

9. Sub. 1. 100 

9. Sub. 2. 100 

9. Sub. 3. 100 

9. Sub. 4.i. 100 


GORES. 

Gore Between Township 1, Totten & Crossfield’s Purchase, 
and Bergen’s Purchase and Oxbow Tract. 

Wells : 


2... 160 

3 . 160 

Lake Pleasant: 

4 . 160 

5 . 160 

6 . 160 


Gore Between Township 2, Totten & Crossfield’s Purchase, 
and Township 9, Moose River Tract. 

Arietta or Lake Pleasant: 

7 . 

8 . 

9. 

10 . 

11 . 

12 . 

13 . 

14 . 

15 . 


low 

1±W 

18 W 

188* 

207 

236 **, 

240*®, 

277 *’, 






































on State Land Survey. 


241 


Lawrence Patent. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

Arietta: 

6 . 635 

7 . * . 635 

Morehouse: 

14. N. W. cor. 36 

Arietta: 

19. 635 

22. 635 

26. 635 

Morehouse: 

34 . 635 

35 . 635 

36 . 777 

47 . 635 

48 . 635 

49 . 635 

Lewis (Morgan) Small Tract. 

Hope: 

2. In town of Hope. 100 

Moose River Tract. 

Township 9. 

Arietta: 

7. 174 

38. 200 

39. 200 

72. 200 

Lake Pleasant: 

84. E. P’t. 50 

85. E. Ft. 125 

Arietta: 

118. Ex. 75 a. W. Ft. 125 

121. 120-n$r 

146. 250 

Oxbow Tract. 

Wells : 

10. 646 

Lake Pleasant: 

18. Ex. 282A- a. S. P’t. 90^ 

19. 274 

[Assem. Doc. Ho. 126.] 


31 



























242 Report of Verplanck Colvin 

Oxboio Tract — continued. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

Wells : 

34. 300 

Arietta: 

42. 301 

Wells: 

51. 160 

Arietta: 

61. All in Arietta. 130 

Wells: 

61. N. E. cor. in Wells.,. 40 

Arietta: 

64. 155 

75... 155 

Lake Pleasant and Arietta: 

123. 155 

Arietta: 

146. S. P’t, rem. water. 50 

153. 155 

188. 155 

214. 155 

218. 155 

228. 375 

252 . 177 

253 . 177 

259. 179 

280. 248 

290. 232 t W 

293... 232-j% 

297. 236 

PALMER’S PURCHASE. 

Generx^l Allotment. 

Wells: 

1. Sub. 5.... . 100 

1. Sub. 6. 100 

3. Sub. 5. 100 

3. Sub. 6. 100 

4. Sub. 8. 100 

4. Sub. 9. 100 

4. Sub. 10. 100 

6. N. E. angle in Wells. 359 

9. 1000 

15. All in Hamilton Co. 895 



































on State Land Survey. 
Palmer’s Purchase — continued. 


243 


Town and lot. 

Hope: 

24. Sub. 1. 

% 

Rear Division — Lefferts Tract. 
North 

Range 1. 

Wells : 

6 . Ex. 25 a. E’ly end. 

9. S. W. $ .. 

10 . Ex. N. E. ^. 

Range 2. 


9. 

10 . 

Range 3. 

3 . 

4 . 

5 . 

6 . 

9. 

10 . 


Area in acres. 


200 


75 

50 

36 


100 

100 

54 


100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

54 


Range 4. 

3 . 

4 . 

5 . 

6 . 

7 . 

8 . 

9. 

10 . 


100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

54 


Morehouse: 
5. .. 


SlCKELS AND Yan AnOLE TRACT. 


200 


TOTTEN A NO CROSSFIELD PURCHASE. 

Township 1, 

North J. 

Lake Pleasant: 


4 . 250 

5 . 250 

6 . 250 



























244 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


Town and lot. 


Courtney 500 a. Tract. 

Area in acres. 


N. E. cor. b’d S. by Highway and W. by lands 

of Henry E. Courtney. 87 

B’d N. by Lake Pleasant, E. by lands formerly 
belonging to Chas. Greenman and W. by lands 

occupied by Samuel Call. 50 

B’d N. by Highway, E. by John Courtney and 
S. by lands formerly belonging to Eliza Lewis, 25 
B’d N. by Highway, E. by lands in possession of 
W. C. Gallup and W. by Henry E. Courtney, S5 


Spier and Brown Lot. 

B’d 1ST. by Township line, E. by lot 36, S. by 
lots 33 and 34 and W. by Lake Pleasant. 400 

South East \. 

Wells : 

S. E. cor. square. 200 


Yan Wagoner Tract. 


Allotment 4. 

3 . 258 

4 .. 258 

South West \. 

1 . 200 

2. 214 

5 . E. % . 150 

7 . 220 

8 . 222 

9 . 271 

10 .311 

11. .311 

12 . 285 

13 . 105£ 

Township 2. 

Lake Pleasant: 

19. H. end 144 a. and S. E. cor. 20 a... 164 

20 . E. Side. 160 

21. B’d N. by lands of Henry Satterle, E. by lot 22, 

S. by lands of Aaron Sturges and W. by Tefft 

and Russell’s 144 a. 50 

21. W. side. 184 

22 . 269 

23 . 269 


24. B’d N. by Tefft and Russell’s 84 a. E. and W. by 

lot lines, and S. by land of Charles Ahlschlager 70 























on State Land Survey. 245 

Township 2 — continued. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

25. N. end. 50 

29.:. 269 

33. S. Ft. 85 

34. 269 

40. 269 

44. 269 

46. 269 

51. 269 

53. 269 

55. 269 

66. 269 

77. 269 

85 . 269 

86 . 269 


Arietta: 

3. All in Arietta. 100 

Lake Pleasant: 

4.150 

6 . 150 

7 . 150 

10. 150 

11. Ex. S. E. £. 112£ 

12. 150 

18. 150 

Arietta: 

20. 150 

21. N. E. 4. 37 

22. 112 

24 . 150 

25 . 150 

Lake Pleasant: 

27 . 150 

28 . 150 

29 . 150 

30 . 150 

31 . 150 

32 . 150 

33 . 150 

34 . 150 

35 . 150 

36 . 150 

37 . 150 

38 . 150 

39 . 150 










































246 Keport of Yerplanck Colvin 

Township 3 — continued. 

Town and lot. Area in acres 

Arietta: 

41.:. 150 

47. 150 

49. 150 

Lake Pleasant: 

50. Ex. S. W. 4. 1124 

51. % . 150* 

52. N. I . 75 

54. * . 150 

58. 150 

60.^... 150 

Arietta: 

63 . 150 

64 . 150 

65 . 150 

66 . 150 

67. Ex. N. W. $■. 1124 

68. S. W. £. 38 

69. Ex. N. E. \ . 112fc 

70 . 150 

71 . 150 

72 . 150 

Lake Pleasant: 

73. N’ly end of 75 a. E. P't in Lake Pleasant .... 50 

Arietta: 

73. N. W. P’t in Arietta. 50 

Lake Pleasant: 

74 . 150 

75 . 150 

76 . 150 

77. .. 150 

^ • -L X • ..... . « .... .... . . . « .. v. .4 1 ^ 

79. 150 

80. Ex. S. W. I . 1124 

81. 150 

82. S. end of 25 a. E. cor. in Lake Pleasant. 10 

Arietta: 

82. X. W. cor., square. 5 

83 . 150 

84 . 150 

85. Ex. N. W. J-. 1124 

86. E. end. of S. % . 10 




































on State Land Survey. 
Township 3 — continued. 


247 


Town and lot. 

88 

89.* Ex. S. E. *.. 

90. 

91. Ex. N. E. *.. 

92. N. W. cor.,square. 

93 . 

94 . 

95 # }n|. *. 

96. S’ly end of 75 a. W. P’t in Arietta 
Lake Pleasant: 

96. S. E. cor. in Lake Pleasant. 

97 ... 

98 . 

99 . 

100 . 

101 . 

102. E. P’t in Lake Pleasant. 


Area in acres. 

.. 150 

.. 112 * 

.. 75 

.. 112 * 

5 

.. 150 

.. 150 

.. 75 

3 


38 

150 

150 

150 

150 

150 

100 


Arietta: 

102. S’ly end of 60 a. W. P’t. 10 

103. .. 150 

104. S. W. cor., square. 15 

105. Same.; 15 

106. S. E. cor., square. 20 

107. S. E. * 37 a. and S. end of W. *, 10 a. 47 

109. S. W. * 37 a. and N. W. cor. square of all of N. 

* and S. E. * not covered by water, 3 a. 40 

110. N. E. cor., square. 20 

111. S. E. cor., square. 20 

112. N. W. cor, square. 10 

113. N. E. cor.,square. 10 

114. N. W. cor., square of part not covered by water, 10 

115. N. E. cor., square of part not covered by water, 10 

116. 17. W. cor., square. 10 

117. K. E. cor., square. 10 

118. N. W. cor., square . 20 

Lake Pleasant: 

119. S’ly end of 50 a. E. P’t in Lake Pleasant. 20 

120 . 150 

121 . 150 

222 150 

123. E. P’t in Lake Pleasant. 75 


Arietta: 

123. S’ly end of 75 a. W. P’t in Arietta. 1 

124. N’ly end. . 40 

125. S. W. cor., square... 15 








































248 


Report of Yerplanok Colvin 


Township 3 — continued. 

Town and lot. Area in at 

126. S. E. cor. square of p’t not covered by water_ 2 

127. S. W. cor., sq., of p’t not covered by water. ... 2 

129. N. W. cor., sq., of p’t not covered by water.... 10 

130. S. E. cor., square. 10 

131. N. W. cor., square. 2 

132. W. 4, 75 a., and JST. E. cor., square, 10 a. 85 

133. N. E. cor.> square. 15 

134. N. W. cor., square. 50 

135. E. end of 1ST. J, 50 a. and N. W. J, 50 a. 100 

136. S. W. cor., square. 25 

137. N. E. cor., square. 10 

138. N. W. cor., square. 50 

139. .. 300 

140 . 300 

141 . 300 

142 . 300 

143. N. W. P’t in Arietta. 150 

Lake Pleasant: 

143. E. P’t in Lake Pleasant... 100 

Township 6. 

Arietta: 

4 . 640 

5 . 640 

6 . 640 

10. 640 

Lake Pleasant: 

11. All in Lake Pleasant. 400 

16. . 640 

17 . 640 

18 . 640 

Arietta: 

24. All in Arietta. 500 

27. 640 

Lake Pleasant: 

29. 200 

Arietta: 

30. All in Arietta. o0 

31. Same. 500 

33.* 640 

37 . 200 

38 . 200 

46. 200 


































I 


on State Land Survey. 249 

Township 6 — continued. 

Town and lot. Area In acres. 

47. 200 

54 . 200 

55 .„. 200 

62.•. 200 

63. 200 

Township 8. 

North J. 

Lake Pleasant: 

13 . 269 

14 . 269 

15 . . 2t)9 

16 . 269 

17 . 269 

18 . . 269 

19. N. 4. 861 

21. . . . 260 

22... . . 260 

27. 260 

29 . 260 

30 ... 260 

31 . 260 

32 . 260 

39. N. W. cor... 48 

40 . 260 

41 . 243*V 

44. 243 t W 

South East 

5. 125 

10 ... 125 

11 . 125 

12 .*. 125 

13 ... 125 

14 . 125 

15 . 125 

16 . 125 

17 .. 125 

18 .a 125 

19 . 125 

20 ... 125 

21 . 125 

22 . 125 

\ 

Lake Pleasant: 

23 . 125 

24 . 125 

[Assern. Doc. No. 126.] 32 










































250 Report of Verplanck Colvin 

Township 8 — continued. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

25. 125 

“20. East” .. 125 

“29. West”. 125 

30 ... .. 125 

31 . 125 

32 . 125 

33 . 125 

34 . 125 

35 . 125 

36 . 125 

3T. 125 

38 ... 125 

39 . 125 

40. Ex. 50 a. S. E. cor. in Wells. 75 

Wells: 

40. S. E. cor. in Wells. 150 


Lake Pleasant: 

S. W. cor 


South W est J. 


2,500 


Township 9. 

Lot b’d beg. at a tree standing at the outlet of 
Elm Lake, marked “ W. B. and B. B.,” th. S. 

60° W. 12 c. 25 L, th. X. 30° E. 60 c. to a stake 
marked “ B.,” th. X. 60 °E. 14 c. to Lake shore, 
and th. S. along Lake shore to beg. 60 

River Lot, b’d beg. at a beech tree marked “ 10 
and 12,” on the S. E. cor. of Lot 10 and S. W. 
cor. of Lot 12 of the Elm Lake Road Tract, th. 

X. 8o° E. 134 c. to a stake marked corner, th. 
due X. 46 c. to a stake blazed on three sides, 
th. X. 85° W. 89 c. to the outlet of Elm 
Lake, th. 22 c. to the rear line of Lot 20 of 
the Elm Lake Road Tract at a point 10 c. from 
the X. E. cor. thereof, th. S. 28° E. to S. 

E. cor. of lot 20, and th. on the line of lots 20, 

18, 14 and 12 of the Elm Lake Road Tract to 
beg.. 704 


3. 

6 . 

8 . 

10 . 


50 

50 

50 

50 


Elm Lake Road Tract. 

























on State Land Survey. 

Elm Lake Road Tract — continued. 


251 


Town and lot. 

12 . 

13 . 

14 . 

15 . 

16 . 

17 . 

18 . 

19. 

20 . .. 

Arietta or Lake Pleasant: 
22 . 


Area in acres. 

50 

50 

50 


50 

50 

50 

50 

50 


50 


Townships 10 and 29, T. and G. 


Wells : 

4. S. end. 300 

6. Ex. 400 a. N. end and 290 a. S. E. end. 326 

11. Ex. 100 a. N. end. 716 


Township 21. 


Long Lake: 

1. 200 

2. 200 

3. 200 

4.. 200 

5. 200 

10.. 200 

11. 200 

12 ... 200 

13. 200 

14.. 200 

15 . 200 

16 . 200 

17 . 200 

18 . 200 

21.. 200 

22. 200 

23 . 200 

24 . 200 

25 . 200 

26 . . 200 

27. .. ..,. 200 

28. 200 

29 . 200 

30 . 200 

31. 200 

32. W. i . 100 









































I 


252 Report of Yerplan. k Colvin 

Township 21 — continued . 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

33. 200 

37 . 200 

38 . 200 

39 . 200 

40 . 200 

41. . 200 

46 . 200 

47 . 200 

49 . 200 

50 . 200 

51 . 200 

52 . 200 

53 . 200 

54 . 200 

58. 200 

61.. 200 

62. 200 

63. 200 

64. .. 200 

65. . 200 

66... 200 

73. . . 200 

74 . 200 

75 . 200 

76. R’ly P’t land. 175 

77. .. 125 

80. Water through center. 80 

83. 200 

85. 200 

86. N. W. & S. E. P’ts, water through center. 150 

90 . 200 

91 . 200 

92 . 200 

96. 200 

101. 200 

102. 200 

103 . 200 

104 . 200 

105 . 200 

106 . 200 

107 . 200 

108 . 200 

109. 200 

112. 200 

113 . 200 

114 . 200 

115. .. 200 

















































on State Land Survey. 
Township 3 — continued . 


253 


Town and lot. 
116. . 

117. . 

118. . 

119. , 

120 . . 
121 . , 

124. , 

125. . 

126. 
127. 

129. 

130. 

131. 

132. . 


Area in acres. 
.. 200 
.. 200 
.. 200 
.. 200 
.. 200 
.. 200 
.. 200 
.. 200 
.. 200 
.. 200 


lift 


200 

200 

200 

200 


Township 22. 
South J. 


Long Lake: 

23 . 160 

24 . 160 

25 . 160 

26 . 160 

27. 160 

28. S. P’t, rem. water. 60 

39. 150 

40. S. P’t, land. 40 

46. 160 

47. 160 

48. 160 

49. 160 

50. S. side, rem. water. 130 

60. 160 

61. 160 

63. N. end, S. P’t water. 30 

Township 23. 

(Including Triangle). 

1. N. E’ly end. 75 

105. P’t water. 130 


Township 32. 


Indian Lake: 

hi. W. cor., square, 1100 a., ex. 273 a. N. W. cor. 

thereof. 827 



































254 


Report of Yerplanck Colvtn 


Township 33. 

North East Corner. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

1. Ex. und. J thereof, Adirondack Co. land. SO 

2. Same. 80 

3. Do. 80 

4. 80 

5. 80 

19. 80 

21. 80 

22... 80 

23 . 80 

24 . 80 

25 . 80 

26 . SO 

27 . 80 

29 . 80 

30 . 80 

43 . 80 

44 . 80 

45 . 80 

48 . 80 

49 . 80 

52 . 80 

53 . 80 

54 . 80 

Township 35. 

Long Lake: 

N. E. J, ex. 150 a. water, 320 a. Gospel and 
School lands, and 2,765 a. und. of all of rem. 

paid by Sarah T. Russell. 2765 

S. E. ex. 300 a. water, 320 a. Literature Lands, 
and 2,690 und. ^ of all of rem. paid by Sarah 
T. Russell. 2690 

Township 37. 

48. 160 

50 . 160 

52. 160 

54, . 160 

56. 160 

58. 200 

100. S. E. P’t land. 140 


Township 40. 

Ex. 6,001 a. water and Gospel, School and 
Literature lands; 50 a. on the W’ly side of Ra- 


































on State Land Survey. 


255 


o .vn and lot. 


Township 40 — continued. 

Area in acres. 

quette Lake, b’d beg. at a large rock-boulder on 
the S. shore of Sand Point from said rock, 
or place of beg., which is near a birch sap¬ 
ling, marked “C Lot 1,” the bearing of the 
Western point or side of Pine Island is S. 13° 

W., the bearing to a large rock a few ft. L. of the 
E. end of Pine Island is S. 4° W., and the bearing 
of the W. point or side of High Island is S. 27° 

30' E. th. proceeding from said rock or place of 
beg. 30 c. 06 1. dueN. to the N. side or shore 
o;f Sand Point, th. along the shore, around 
said Point, to beg. ; 75 a. on the E’ly shore 
of Paquette Lake, known as the “ Josiah F. 

Wood place,” b’d N’ly and W’ly by the 
shore of the Lake, S’ly by a line par’l to the 
S’ly line of Township and running E’ly from 
a stooping Cedar tree on a sharp point of rocks 
at the Western extremit}' of a point of land 
known as “ Osprey point,” and E’ly by a line 
at right angles thereto ; 40 a., more or less, b’d 
beg. at an Iron bolt in the top of a large rock or 
boulder on the N. Shore of Lake Elizabeth, said 
rock being N. 31° E. 21 c. 50 1. from the out¬ 
let of said Lake, and said outlet being 1 c. long 
from said Lake to Paquette Lake at low-water 
mark, th. from said Iron bolt N. 28° W. 21 c. 

10 1. to a rock or boulder on the S. shore of 
Paquette Lake, th. W’ly and S’ly along said 
shore to the outlet of Lake Elizabeth aforesaid, 
and th. Ely and N’ly along the N’lyand W’ly 
shores of said outlet and Lake Elizabeth to beg.; 

30 a. E’ly end of Indian Point b’d W’ly 41 c. 
by line running N. 27° W., said line being 16 c. 

63 1. W. from the Extreme point or E. branch 
of said Indian Point, measuring along the cen¬ 
tre thereof; Bluff Island, in Paquette Lake, 

f ranted to the Protestant Episcopal Board of 
fissions of the Diocese of Albany, by chap. 

552, Laws of 18S1; 160 a. b’d beg. at the 
mouth of a email brook just W. of “North 
Point,” so called, on the N. shore of Paquette 
Lake, th. N’ly, par’l with the Ely line of 
Township 38 c. 75 1., th. Ely par’l with N’ly line 
of Township 40 c., th. S’ly par’l with E’ly line 
of Township 38 c. 75 1. to said Lake, and th. 

W’ly along the shore of said Lake, as it winds 
and turns, including “North Point,” to beg.; 


256 Peport of Verplanck Colvin 

Township 40 — continued. 

Town and lot. Area In acres. 

160 a. being tlie W. end of “ Long Point,” b’d 
N., S. and W. by Paquette Lake and E’ly by 
tlie N. and S. centre line of Township ; and ex. 

3500 a., being an und. -J- paid by M. H. Beecher 
(which \ was conveyed to W. H. Mead from 
the Tax sale of 1866) and an und. J paid by Wm. 
Cleveland, of 7,000 a. N. W’ly P’t of Town¬ 
ship, b’d beg. at centre of the mouth of Brown’s 
Tract Inlet on Paquette Lake, th. W’ly up said 
Inlet along its centre to the W’ly line of Town¬ 
ship, th. N’ly or N. 30° W. along said line, to 
the N. W. cor. of Township, th. E’ly along the 
P’ly line of Township so far that by proceed¬ 
ing S. 30° E. paBl to the E’ly line of Town¬ 
ship to the shore of said Lake at low-water 
mark and th. along the N’ly and W’ly shore of 
said Lake at low-water mark to the place of 
beg. there shall be embraced 7,000 a. after de¬ 
ducting 50 a. on the E. end of Indian Point 
formerly owned by Wm. Wood and Matthew 
Beach, and also deducting a piece of land on 
the E. end of Sand point heretofore sold to 


Wm. Constable. 13,024 

Township 50. 

1 . 160 

2 . 124 

3 . 124 

9. 124 

10. 124 

11. . . . 124 

16... 160 

17 . 160 

18 ... 160 

19. 160 

23 . 160 

24 . 160 

26. 160 

27. 160 

29. 160 

30. N’ly P’t land, S’ly P’t water. 60 

34 . 120 

35 120 

36. E’ly P’t water. 100 

42. S’ly P’t water. 100 

43 . 160 

44 . 160 

45 . 160 


























on State Land Survey. 


257 


Township 50 — continued. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

48 . 160 

49 . 160 

50 . 160 

51 . 160 

52 . 160 

53 . 120 

54 . 120 

67. 160 

68 . 160 

69. 160 

90. All in Hamilton Co. 80 

Vrooman’s Patent. 

Morehouse : 

35. W. Ft of E. i . 50 

52. S. end. 34 

[Assem. Doc. No. 126.] 33 















258 


Report of Yerplanck Colvin 


HERKIMER COUNTY- 

LIST OF LANDS BELONGING TO THE STATE, 


Total number of acres, 9,646.686. 


DETAILED STATEMENT. 


Bayard’s or Freemason’s Patent. 


Town and lot. Irea in acres. 

W inti eld: 

5. Sub. 7.. ...... 2J 

Litcbfield : 

64. Sub. 10... 10 


Jerseyfield Patent 


Salisbury: 

3. W. ex. 50 a. N. E. cor. thereof, and 174 a. S. 
W. cor, 30 c. wide 1S T . and S., and 58 c. Ion# E. 
and W. 276 a., and 50 a. S. W. cor. of N, E. 

35. S. W. I...... 

38. E. ^ of N. E. ex. 50 a. N, end and 25 a. S. end 
thereof, 5o a.; 200 a. N. end of W. -J- and 150 

a. N. P’t of 200 a. S. end of W. .. 

40. All of N. \ in Salisbury, 223 £ a., ex. 215 a. N. 
E. cor. thereof. 

Ohio: 

48. W. McIntosh’s Part. .. 

53. All of W. £ in Ohio, ex. 200 a. W. P’t thereof, 
heretofore conveyed to Benjamin Hall, N. Bly 
and Alson Pierson.... 


Salisbury: 

53. All of W. in Salisbury. 

67. All in Salisbury... 

68. W. £..... 

Ohio: 

79. S. E. cor*, “ Chauncev Eurgeson Lot,” b’d N. by 

Town line and W. bv land of Albert Abeel. . 

0 / 


326 

250 


400 

Si 

14 


290 


35 

66 

500 


100 













on State Land Survey. 


259 


Jerseyfiiid Patent — continued. 

Town and lot. Area in acres 

80. B’d N. and E. by Seymour Radley, S. by Nelson 

Radley and W. by Highway. 7 

Salisbury: 

82. All in Salisbury. 100 

Machin’s Patent. 

Lush & Marvin’s Tract. 

North ^. 

Russia: 

5. 160 

Moose River Tract. 

Township 3. 

W ilmurt: 

76 . 160 

77 . 160 

88 . 160 

89 . 160 

90 . 160 

100 . 160 

101 . 160 

102. 124 

112 . . 160 

113 . 160 

114 .'.. 135 

124 . 160 

125 . 160 

126 . 140 

136 . 160 

137 . 160 

Nobleboro Patent. 

New Survey. 

7. 150 

23. 150 

47 . 150 

48 . 150 

52 . 150 

53 . 150 

54 . 150 

57. Ex. 25 a. E. end and 100 a. W. end. 25 































260 


fiEPORT OF YeRPLANCK COLVIN 

Nobleboro Patent — continued , 


Town and lot. 

60. 

61. 

62. 

90 . 

91 . 

94.. 

97 . 

98 . 

102 . 

104 . 

105 . 

123. . . 

125 . 

126 . 

127 Ex. 10 a. S. E. cor 

129. 

132... 

140. 


Area in acres. 

. 150 

. 150 

150 
150 
. 150 

,. 150 

.. 150 

.. 150 

.. 150 

.. 150 

.. 150 

.. 150 

.. 150 

.. 150 

.. 140 

.. 150 

.. 150 

.. 150 


Old Survey. 

1. 17. and S. Lakes and Flow lands. 

99. E. P’t 200 a., ex. und. § thereof paid by F. 

Bronson. 66f 


Boyal Grant. 


Fourth Allotment. 


Salisbury : 

142. N. W. cor., square, 30 a. and S. W. cor., square, 
30 a. 


2 


60 


Susannah Johnson Tract. 

27. S. E. cor., b’d N. by land of Joseph H. Walrath 
and line par’l to S. line of lot, and W. by 


Highway . 25 

28. W. end. 15 


Watson’s East Triangle. 


Wilmurt: 

6. S. andN. E. 4... 430 

7. W. i . 289 

13. Ex. 183-j 9 ^ a. E’ly P’t, and 205^- a. b’d N. and 

S. by lot lines, and E. by John Beach’s 183^ a. 660 T 2 ^g- 
15. E. P’t.'. 346 


Woodhull Tract. 
7. All in Wilmurt. 


92 





























on State Land Survey. 


261 


JEFFERSON COUNTY. 


LIST OF LANDS BELONGING TO THE STATE. 


DETAILED STATEMENT. 


Port Putnam, Tillage of. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

Cape Vincent: 

126 to 139 inc., 222 to 237 inc., 318 to 333 inc., eacli 
50 ft. wide and 125 ft. deep, located on the S. 

E. bank of River St. Lawrence, about 2 miles 
E. of Cape Vincent. 


Worth, Town of. 

South 

Worth: 

1. B’d beg. at N. E. cor. of 100 a. conveyed to 
Valentine Butler, th. along said land S. 2° W. 
26 c. 50 1. to S. E. cor. thereof, th. par’l to N. 
line S. 79° E. 19 c., th. N. 2° E. par’l to E. 
line 26 c. 50 1. to N. line, and th. N. 79° W. 
along N. line to beg. 


50 




262 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


/ 


LEWIS COUNTY. 


LIST OF LANDS BELONGING TO THE STATE. 


Total number of acres, 2,865.243. 


DETAILED STATEMENT. 
Boylston Purchase. 


Township 13. 

Town and lot. Area in acres 

Osceola: 

50. B’d N. by Potter or Porter, E. and W. by lot 

lines and S. by Brock way. 61 

63. N. J of 75 a. E. P’t, b’d W. by A. Lake. 37J 

74. 236 

134. S. P’t, b’d N. by Geo. Boin. 83 


Greig: 


Brantingham Tract. 


43. 

95. S. P’t, Trull. 

113. N. i . 

118. S. E. cor. 100 r. N. 

171. W. side, 50 a. ex. 16§ a. all contained therein of 
50 a. b’d N. by Bender, E. and W. by lot lines 
and S. by Smith. 

Lyonsdale: 

203. E. side.. 

204. 

205. W. side, b’d E. by Bogart. 

208. 

222. N. E. cor., “ E. A. Brown”. 

223. W. P’t, b’d E. by Bogart. 

226. E. P’t. 

262. N E. cor., b’d S. by Moose river. 

305. N. W. cor., b’d E. by T Rogers and S. by Black 

river. 

312. E. side, 93 a. ex. 3 a. und. paid by Caleb Lyon.. 
314..... 


209 

141 

100 

100 


33£ 


32 

183 

144 

190 


77 

50 

14 

90 

181 
























on State Land Survey. 
Inman’s Triangle. 


263 


Town and lot. 

Lewis : 


Area in acres. 


153. N. E. cor. 100 ) 

153. E. side... 100 f 

153. W. P’t, 64 a. ex. 13 yjj-g- a. N’ly end thereof.... 50^^ ) 
153. X. W. cor.., 50 j 


MACOMB’S PURCHASE. 

Great Tract 6. 

Township 1. 

20. B’d N. by lot line, E. by C. Sheitenmantel or 
Slieidelinan and J. W. Barrett’s land, or C. 
Slieidleman’s land, S. by lot line or J. W, Bar¬ 
rett’s land and W. by Van Wagner’s or Yan 


Wagoner’s land, or 71 a. W. side of lot.. 45 

44... 259 

57. E. side... 100 


Turin: 


Township 3. 

Lucretia Constable’s Purchase. 


84. B’d N'ly by Hiram Carpenter’s land, E’ly by 
lands of Aaron Parsons and others, S’ly by lot 
line and W’ly by land of Heirs of Calvin 

Roberts, dec’d . 

84. B’d N’ly and E’ly by Hiram Carpenter’s land, 
S’ly by lot line and W’ly by land of Brainard 

Coe and others..... 

84. B’d N’ly, E’ly and W’ly by Eli Doud’s land and 

S’ly by lot line. 

84. S. W. cor. b’d N’ly by Hiram Carpenters land 
and E’ly by B. Coe’s land. 


2 

3 

4 
3 


Watson: 

240. S. Ft 


Watson’s West Triangle. 


e 


48 


Greig: 


Wilkes Tract. 


5. S. P’t 


46 















264 


Report of Yerplanck Colvin 


ONEIDA COUNTY. 


LIST OF LANDS BELONGING TO THE STATE. 
Total number of acres, 3,816.493. 


Adg ate’s Eastern Tract. 

Gouverneur Lot. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

Eorestport : 

Ex. 100 a. S. P’t, owned by T. Dellarme. 600 


Miller (& Swanton Lot. 

6. Sub. 1, Ex. 32^ a. conveyed to John Harrig, Jr., 
June 16, 1864, and recorded in Book 253 of 
Deeds 49, and 39^^- a. conveyed to Jokn Skil- 
len April 1, 1863, and recorded in Clerk’s Of¬ 
fice of Oneida county April 10, 1863, in Book 


244, page 16. 28^ 

10. .... 350 

14. 1ST. P’t, 300 a. S. W. cor. 50 a., and 50 a. S. W. 
cor. of Sub. 1, 12 c. N. and S. and 41J c. E. 

and W. 400 

15. 400 


Ado ate’s Western Tract. 


East Side of Black River. 

Boonville: 

55. N. P’t. 

73. B’d beg. on W. line of lot in centre of road to 

Hawkinsville, th. on lot line N. 36J° W. 8 c. 
37 1., th. N. 55° E. 15 c., th. N. 35° W. 7 c., 
th. N. 55° E. 9 c. 60 1. to E. line of lot, th. S. 
1° W. 24 c. 40 1. to centre of road to Hawkins¬ 
ville, and th. S. 72-J° W. along the centre of 
said road 9 c. 50 1. to beg. 

74. B’d beg. at the N. W. cor. of Nathan Jones’ lot, 

th. N. 1° E. 2 c. 80 1. to centre of road, th. 


25 


20 











265 


on State Land Survey. 

Adgate’s Western Tract — continued. 

Town and lot. , Area in acres. 

W’ly along said centre 1 c. 45 1. to Wheelock’s 
line, tli. N. 1° E. 12 c. 84 1., th. N. 52° E. 5 c. 

90 L, tli. S. 1° W. 5 c., tli. S. 26 E. 15 c. 

58 1. to Nathan Jones’ land, and tli. N. 89° W. 

10 c. 50 1. to beg., 13 a. ex. 2 a. on N. side of 
road adj. land owned and occupied ♦by James 
E. Wells, heretofore sold by Andrew j. Moon 
and wife to M. Y. B. Moon, and ex. 2 a. on S. 
side of road, deeded by Samuel L. Joslyn and 

wife to John Bertunah or Bedunah. 9 

74. B’d beg. m center of road N. 89° 10’ E. 9 c. 75 1. 
from the W< line of lot, th. N. 2° 10' E. par’l 
with W. line 32° 38' to a stake and stones, th. 

N. 52° 10' E. 9 c. 54 1., th- S. 2° 10' W. 18 c. 

50 1., th. S. 52° 10' W. 6c. 25 1., th. S. 2° 10' 

W. 13 c. 12 1. to centre of road and th. S. 89° 

10' W., in centre of said road, 2 c. 53 1. to beg, 16^- 

74, 75, 76 and 79. Parts thereof, being the same 

premises conveyed by Morris S. Miller and 

others to Richard Hulbert bv Deed dated Janu- 

«/ 

ary 15, 1856, recorded in Clerk’s office of 
Oneida Co., March 22, 1856, in Book 194 of 
Deeds, page 478, etc. 155-^^ 

75, 76 and 79. Parts thereof, b’d beg. at a hemlock 

tree on N. side of Cummins Creek about 1^-c. 
below Burgess saw mill, th. N. 10° E. 7 c. 501. 
to a beech marked, th. N. 80° E. 40 c. 50 1. to 
a hemlock marked, th. S. 10° E. 16 c. 75 1. to 
a spruce marked, th. S. 71° W. 49 c. 46 1. to 
Cummins Creek at a spruce marked and th. up 
said creek 33 c. 50 1. to beg., 100 a. ex. 15 a. 
p’t of Lot 75 as surveyed by C. L. Phelps, 

Feb. 23, 1864, and deeded to Andrew Wells, 


January 1, 1864. 85 

Bayard’s or Freemason’s Patent. 

Bridgewater: 

5. Sub. 7. 


Machin’s Patent. 

Towns of Ava, Boonville and Steuben. 

Boonville: 

6. B’d beg. on E. line of lot 20 c. from S. E. cor. 
thereof, th. S. 89° 15' W. par’l with S. line of 
lot 35 c. to stake and stones, th. N’ly along 
land of Henry Shott 20 c. to a stake and stones, 

[Assem. Doc. No 126.] 34 








266 


Town and lot. 


Report of Terplanck Colvin 
Machines Patent — continued. 


Area In acre3 

th. N. 89° 15'E. along land of John A. Philips 
35 c. to lot line and th. 8. 20 c. to beg., 70 a., 
ex. 2 a. thereof, occupied for road bed by the 

Black River & Utica R. R. Co. bS 

16. Ex. 300 a. S. P’t. 252^ 

Oneida Castle Tillage. 

Tern on: 

16. Reserved for Public Buildings. 

21 . 

3d. Reserved for Cemetery. 

58. 

105. 

110 . 


Remsenburgh Patent. 

Forestport: 

3. N. E. cor., b’d S. by Byford, or land of S. Bigford, 
or land occupied by S. Beckford, and W. by 
land of O’Brien, 170 a., ex. 84 a. JN. E. cor. 
thereof, b’d S. by Tefft and W. by Highway.. 86 


19. S. W.% ..... 125 

21. S. E. cor,, b’d N. and W. by River. 3 


Scriba’s Patent. 


Annsville: 


Township 3. 


13. S. E. cor. 

80. In N. i, (Mortgage, Sept. 19, ’71) 

80. S. i of W. P’t. (Same.). 

81. All. do. 


Florence: 

103. S. E. cor., b’d beg. on E. side of Highway lead¬ 
ing from Empeyville to Remsen, at Benjamin 
Tanner’s Saw-mill at S. line of T. H. Simpkins’ 
land, th. along Simpkins’ land to Lot 104, th. 
S’ly along lot line to land of Ransom and Ben¬ 
jamin Tanner, th. W’ly along said land to said 
Highway, and th. N’ly along said Highway to 

beg. . 

117. B’d beg. at S. W. cor. of lot, th. S, 67° E. along 
lot line 16 c. 26 1., th. K 23° 53' E. 22 c. 32 1., 
th. S. 67° E. 3 c. 50 1. to centre of Highway, 
th. N. 23° 53' E. 20 c. 89 1. to centre or turn in 
Highway, th. N. 6° 52' along centre of High- 


18 

48 * 

48 * 


11 











267 


on State Land Survey. 


Township 3 — continued. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

way 6 c. 81 1. to lands of Wm. Whipple on lot 
103, tli. N. 67° W. 16 c. 26 1. to line, th. S. 23° 

53' along lot line 48 c. 74 1. to beg. 8S T 3 ^ 

Annsville : 


150. S. E. cor 


18 


Township 8. 

West Part in Camden. 

Camden : 

8. B'd N. by lands of Abram Skinner, E. by lands 
of E. Skinner, S. by lands formerly owned bv 
Strong, and W. by lands of Robert Robertson. 
44. N. W. cor., b’d E. by Fish Creek and S. and W. 
by lands of Miner Buel or Buell. 


Vienna: 

19. N. W. cor 


Township 9. 


30 

3 

14 


Township 10. 


North J. 

31. N. end. 79 

55. W. J of 49* a. S. Ft. 24f 

63. S. E. cor. 14 


66. W. P’t, b’d beg. at N. E. cor. of lot 65, th. S. 

68° E. along lot line 7 c. 75 1. to a stake, th. S. 

22° W. 33 c. to a stake on N. line of Peter J. 

Munro’s Tract, th. N. 80° W. along said Mon¬ 
ro’s N. line 8 c. 41. to the S. E. cor. of lot 65, 
and th. N. 22° E. along E. line of said lot 65, 

35 c. to beg. 26 t 8 ^j- 

Utica City. 


Utica City: 

28. Taylor’s Map 


West Street. 


East Side. 

Re-allotment of Block 12, Stocking Farm. 

Block 2. 


Seventh Ward. 
18. 


ft. 

40x114 


28. 


West Side. 

Re-allotment of Block 12, Stocking Farm. 

Block 1. 


40x114 















268 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


Wilett’s (Marinus) 2000 a. Tract. 

Town and lot. Area in acres 

Steuben : 

5. W. P’t, 25 c. wide N. and S. and 26 c. long 

,E. and W ... . . 65 


Woodhull Tract. 


Forestport: 

13. Sub. 16. 


38. Sub. 5, S. 


83 

59 


38. Sub. 6. 114^ 

39. Sub. 1. 100 

39. Sub. 3. 180 

39. Sub. 4, 5 and 6, and P’t of B. being W. P’t of 

lot. 156 


40. Sub. 3 IN’. 


5H 










on State Land Survey. 


260 


SARATOGA COUNTY. 

LIST OF LANDS BELONGING TO THE STATE. 


Total number of acres, 9,489.912. 

DETAILED STATEMENT. 

Dartmouth Patent, Small Tract. 

Range 4. 

Town and lot. Area in acres 

Hadley: 

( B’d N. by Town land, E. by lot 4, S. by lands of 
3. -< Jonathan Flanders and W. by lands of Alexander 
( Kennedy. 36 

Glen and Yates Patent. 

Day: 

13. N. W. cor. b’d S. and E. by land assessed to Jesse 

Perkins . . . ..... 16 

48. N. E. P’t b’d beg. No. 60° E. 28 c. from the 
original lower corner of lot 47, th. N. 60° E. 

31 ch. 50 1. to the N. E’ly line of above Patent, 
th. S. 30° E. 33 c. 33 1. to a cor., th. S. 60° W. 

31 c. 50 1. to a cor., th. N. 30° W. 33 c. 33 1. 
to beg. 105 

Glen and 44 Others Patent. 

6. 250 

17. 120 i 

Corinth: 

39. All in Corinth. 112 

Edinburgh : 

39. All in Edinburgh. 150 

Corinth: 

51. All in Corinth. 86 











270 Report of Verplanck Colvin 

Glen , etc., Patent — continued. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

Edinburgh: 

59 . 250 

60 . 250 

65. 250 

81. 250 

85. Sub. 3 . 100 

86. Sub. 7. 100 

87. Sub. 9. 100 

88. Sub. 10. 100 

108. 250 

112. 250 

134. N. E. end or E. P’t in Edinburgh. 200 

Providence : 

141, 142, 143 and 144, Sub. 8. 100 


KAYADEROSSERAS PATENT. 


17 tli Allotment , Great Lot 6. 

Greenfield : 

12. B’d N. by highway leading from Stile Tavern 
stand to Henry Lockwood’s, E. by Great Lot 7 
of above allotment, S. by lands of R. Morris 
and W. by lands of C. L. Williams. 40-^- 

Great Lot 9. 

Wilton: 

3. Sub. 1, E. P’t b’d. beg. at a stake in the skew line, 
th. N. 74° 45', W. 10 c. to a stake, th. S. 9 c. to 
the skew line, and th. N. 55° E. along said line 
to beg... 4a 2i 

18^4 Allotment , Great Lot 2» 

3. Sub. 4, b’d, beg. at a stake near a yellow pine 
tree at the N. E. cor. of lands formerly in pos¬ 
session of James Herrick, now of N. Robbloe, 
th. W. 15 c. 20 1. to a stake, th. N’ly 44 c. 47 1. 
to the skew line, th. along said line N. E. 18 c. 

23 1. to a stake, and th. S. 57 c. 44 1. to beg. .. 60 

l$th Allotment , Great Lot 11. 

Northumberland: 

1. B’d beg. at S. W. cor. thereof, th. E. along lot 
line 58 c. 38 1. th. N. as the needle pointed in 
1769, 15 c. 66 1. th. W. 58 c. 38 1., th. S. to 
beg 


90f 

















on State Land Survey. 271 

21s£ Allotment , Great Lot 13. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

Greenfield : 

3. Sub. 4, b’d. H. by lands of Charles Hunt, E. by 
22d. allotment, S. by lands of Lewis S. Mills 
and W. by Sub. 3. 55 

22 d Allotment , Great Lot 13. 

F. B’d H. by lands of W. W. French, E. by lands 
of Charles E. Benedict, S. by lands of Perry 
. Arnold and W. by lands of Standish and 

others. 75 

24 th Allotment , Great Lot 1. 

Town of Corinth. 

Corinth : 

1. Sub. A. all in Corinth. 299 a. except 100 a. S. J- 

of 150 a. N. P’t thereof. 199 

1. Sub. B. 348 

2. Sub. 2 S. P’t. 100 

3. Sub. D all in Corinth, 486 a. except 101 a., being 

all of 106 a. W. \ of 212 a., S. P’t of Sub., and 
of 8 a., H. of and adj. said 212 a. in said town 
of Corinth. 385 

Great Lot 2. 

Town of Corinth. 

1 or a. Sub. 1 N. P’t b’d S. by Hewitt, Clark and 

Andrews or Anderson and Spaulding, 900 a. 
ex. 200 a. S. i of 600 a. H. end thereof. 700 

2 or b. S. P’t b’d 17. by Chrysler lot, 737 a. ex. 400 

a. b’d ]ST. bv Chrysler lot, E. and W. by lot 
lines and S. by N. M. Houghton. 337 

Great Lot 3. 

Town of Corinth. 

1. Sub. A. S. P’t. 30 

1. Sub. B.... . 175 

1. Sub. C. 175 

2. Sub. 1, N. P’t, b’d S. by D. Martin or I. Carpenter. 503 

2. Sub. 2, S. P’t, b’d N. by Tiffany. 90 

Town of Day. 

Daj r : 

1. Sub. 1. 100 

1. Sub. 3. 80 
















272 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 

Great Lot 4. 


Town and lot. Area in acres. 

Corinth: 

1. Sub. 2, 461 a. ex. 150 a. S. end thereof. 

2. B’d N. by Gowan or Gower lake, E. and W. by 

lot lines andS. by Riley, 708, ex. 250 a. b’d H. 
by Sherman, Houghton and Ambler, E. and W. 
by lot lines and S. by Riley. 

Great Lot 6. 


1. Sub. K K Ft. 35 

2. Sub. H. 100 


311 

458 


PALMER’S PURCHASE. 
General Allotment. 



16. 

27. 

31. 


35. 

45. 


All in Day. 

All in Day, 555, ex. 305 a. N. P’t thereof. 

B’d N. by Co. line, E. and W. by lot lines and S. 
by 88S a. assessed to L. Thompson, Weaver & 

Co.. 

H. P’t of all in Day, b’d S. by 525 a. assessed to 

F. G. McOmber. 

Ex. 700 a. N. end and 150 a. S. end. 


37 

250 


50 

209 

150 


Sander’s Patent. 


Corinth: 

12. W. i . 

15. 

17. 

21. Stedman Lot. 

22. Bussing Lot. 

29 . 

30 .. 

33 . 

34 . 

35 . 

37 . 

38 . 

39 . 


50 

100 

100 

100 

100 

99 

96 

87 

87 

101 

101 

101 

82 


Small Lots . 

1 . 

2 . 

3. 


23 

24 
17 


1 




























on State Land Survey. 


273 


ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

LIST OF LANDS BELONGING TO THE STATE. 


Total number of acres, 41,263.314. 

DETAILED STATEMENT. 

Canton Township. 

Mile Square Lots . 

Range 3. 


Town and Lots. Area in acres. 

Canton: 

7. Sub. 6, S. W’ly ^ . 50 


Columbia Tillage. 

Main Street . 
North Side. 

Madrid: 

14. 


Cooper’s Falls Tillage. 

DeKalb: 

B’d N., N’ly or N. E’ly by Tillage Lots 13,15 
and 17, E’ly, S. E’ly or S’ly by center of Flank 
Road from DeKaib Tillage to the Tillage of 
Cooper’s Falls, S’ly or S. W’ly by centre of 
River or Ravine St. or Ave., to be laid out 100 
ft. in width from said Plank road to Oswe- 
gatchie River and N. W’ly by Oswegatchie 
River.. 2J 

[Assem. Doc. No. 126.] 


35 






274 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


Macomb’s Purchase. 


Great Tract 2. 


Township 1, “ SherwoodT 
North East 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

\ 

Colton : 

S. W. P’t (flowed lands).4,777 

North West J. 

Ex. 2,733J a. N. P’t of the E. J thereof. 5,733£ 


Township 2, “ OakhamT 


South West 


Hopkinton: 

Ex. 1,500 a. und. paid by H. N. Red way, or Isaac 
Ellis, und. 2,000 a. paid by Geo. B. Burnham 
and und. 3185 a. paid by David Rice. 


1,885 


Township 4, “ HarewoodP 

Colton: 

S. E. J, Ex. 5,250 a. N. P’t thereof and 1954 t 9 q 2 ¥ 
a. being all that remains of 2,355 a. S. E. cor. 
after reserving therefrom 319^ a. Cranberry 
Lake and the flowed lands around the same, as 
per map on file in the Comptroller’s office, and 
80 t \V a. b’d beg. at the junction of the W. line 
of the S. E. k of Township with the N. bank 
of the Oswegatchie River, th. N. 2° 45' E. along 
said line 25 c. 49 L, th. S. 88 E. 19 c. 721., th. 

S. 2° W. 40 c., th. N. 89° W. 20 c. 35 1. to the 
W. line of the S. E. ^ of Township and th. N. 

2° 45' E. along said line 14 c. 85 1. to beg.1,115^^ 

Township 5, “ Jamestown .” 


N. E. cor. 1 mile square. 640 

1. On N. line of Township, 1 mile W. of N. E. 

cor. thereof. 640 

2 and 3. Pratt Lot, ! on N. line of Township, 2 miles 
W. of N. E. cor. thereof, 1 mile N. and S. and 
2 miles E. and W.1,280 

4. 1 mile square, on E. line of Township, 1 mile S. of 

N. E. cor. thereof. 640 

. 200 

5. 1 mile square, 1 mile W. of E. line and 1 mile 

S. of N. line of Township.. 640 

6. 1 mile square, 2 miles W. of E. line, and 1 mile 

S. of hi. line of Township. 640 














on State Land Survey. 


275 


Township 7, “ Granshue” 

Town and lot. 


Area in acres 


N. Ft 20, 550. Ex. 3,213 a. Lot 1, 3,274 a. Lot 2, 
3,211 a. Lot 3, 3,211 a. Lot 4, 3,194 a. Lot 5 


and 3,075 a. Lot 6.1,372 

S. Ft.9,092 


30. 

34. 

35. 

36. 


Township 8, “ Hollywood 


544 

582 

641 

679 


Hopkinton : 


Township 9, “Kildare” 


6 . 

* . 

9. Und. 4 heretofore p’d by Sarah S. Wood 

14 . ... 

15 . 

23 . 

24 . 

40. 

47. 


610 

610 

lOlf 

610 

610 

610 

610 

610 

610 


Township 11, “ Wick” 


Parish ville: 

4. E. side. 160 

5. W. side. 267 

11. W. side. 265 

13. S. W. cor. (S. and W. of road). 38 


Great Tract 3. 


Pitcairn: 
139. 


Township 11. 
Brodie Tract. 


148 


Fine: 


Township 15. 

S. -J, ex. 8,266 a. S. E. Ft and 2,312 a. W. Ft 
thereof. 4,202 


Norfolk Village. 

Norfolk: 

77. Sub. 23 P’t beg. above Bridge Forge Lot No. 1, 
at S’ly cor. of the stone abutment at N. end of 
Bridge, th. S. 51° E. 1 c. 38 1., th. S. 56° 50' E. 

1 c., th. S. 33° 30' W. 1. c. 38 1. to the River 
shore and th. in a right line to beg. iVf 
























276 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


Town and lot. 

Oswegatckie: 

11 . 


1. 

2 . 

3. 

4. 

7. 

8 . 

9. 

10 . 

11 . 

12 . 

15. 


10 


Ogdensburg City. 

Block 182. 


Block 206. 


Block 208. 


Area in acres. 


Block 418. 

All 

Block 419. 

All 

Block 423. 

All 

ST. REGIS RESERVATION. 

00 

Indian Meadows along Grass River. 

Massena: 

5. 

8 . 

9. 

11 . 

12 . 

19 . 

20 . 

21 . 

22 . 

23 . 

24 . 

25 . 

30 . 

31 . 


18 5 
x To F 
4 5 
Toe 
84 
TOT 
1 6 

TOO 

4 t Vo 
1 2 
TUT 
1 8 

To F 

12 

1 OF 

2 0 

tft 

2 1 
TFT 
3 0 
TFT 
24 
TTT 

4 

2 

































on State Land Survey. 


277 


St. Regis Reservation — continued. 

Town and lot. 

36. / . 

38 . 

39 . 

40 . 

41 ... 

45 . 

46 . 

47 . 

50. 

52 .. 

53 . 


Area in acres. 

• • if 

• • 4r% 


1-35 
1 6 3 

A rinr 

lyW 

tA 

ToV 
^ i 9 A 


15 


\ 


\ 














278 


Report op Verplanok Colvin 


WARREN COUNTY. 

LIST OF LANDS BELONGING TO THE STATE. 


Total number of acres, 19,045.900. 

DETAILED STATEMENT. 

Brant Lake Tract. 

Town and lot. Area in acres 

Hague: 

16...... 160 

17 . 160 

18 . 160 

19. 160 

22. 160 

23 . 160 

24 . 160 

Horicon : 

107. Ex. und. £ paid by A. Crandall (part water), 

bonded when bid in. 80 

141. S. E. cor. 20 

Dartmouth Patent. 

Great Tract. 

Range 4. 

Stony Creek: 

5. 234 

Range 6. 

Thurman: 

5 . 234 

6 . 234 

Range 8. 

7. N. W. cor. 170 

















on State Land Survey. 279 

Upper River Division. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

Stony Creek: 

5. W. J. 50 

6. Same. 45 

Ellis Patent. 

Hague: 

248. 102 

257. 94 

Garland’s (Peter) Patent. 

Bolton: 

3. 167 

Gore between Thurman’s Road Patent and Hoffman Township. 
Chester: 

N. E. end. 92 

Hague Tract. 

Hague: 

50. 150 

54. 180 

57 . 184 

58 . 184 

Hoffman Township. 

Chester: 

93. S. E. cor. 165 

Hyde Township. 

Thurman: 

17. N. W, cor. 50 

Jessup’s Patent. 

7,550 a. Tract. 

Luzerne: 

8. B’d K and S. by lot lines, and W. by Hudson 

river. 121 

12. E. P’t, b’d W. by Goodness. 96 

Luzerne Tract. 

Caldwell: 

66. .. 127 

McDonald’s (Neil) Patent. 

Bolton : 

10. S’lyP’t. 80 


















280 


Report of Yerplanck Col yin 


Town and lot. 

40. . 
119. . 


North West Bay Tract. 


Area in acres, 


175 

182 


PALMER’S PURCHASE. 


Stony Creek : 


27. 

34. 


Rear Division. 
Great Lot 1. 


Thurman : 

61. 

63. S. E. P’t, or S. or S. E. . 

64. W. J. 

69. Same. 

85 . 

86 . 

Great Lot 2. 

20 . 

21 . 

27. Ex. 53 a. W. end. 

54. N. W. cor. 50 a. and S. E. cor. 25 a 

55 . 

56 . 

59. N. E. cor. 

60. 


i 


River Division. 


160 

160 


160 

80 

80 

80 

160 

160 


150tV 

150 * 

75 

125* 

125* 

25 

150* 


East End. 

Great Lot 1. 

Stony Creek: 

All in Warren Co. . 305 

Great Lot 3. 

N. E. cor., b’d N. by Middle Division, E. by Sub. 

1, S. by Saratoga Co. and W. by Lot 4. 45 


Bolton: 

6 . 

Hague: 

44. 

46. 

48. 

49. 


Tongue Mountain Tract. 


168 


212 

155 

273 

270 


1 


























on State Land Subvey. 


281 


TOTTEN AND CROSSFiELD’S PURCHASE. 


Township 11. / 

Town and lot. 

Thurman : 

9. All in Thurman. 

10. Same . 

11. s. p’t. 

Johnsburgh : 

14. Ex. und. i Adirondack Co.’s land 

15 . 

16 . 

30 . 

31 . 

32 . 

33 . 

34 . 

37. S. end. 

39 . 

40 . 

44. N. end. 

45. Same. 

46. Same. 

56. 

59. 


Area in acres. 


29 

90 

112 


200 

300 

300 

300 

300 

300 

300 

300 

50 

300 

300 

150 

150 

98 

300 

300 


Township 13. 


3. 

10 . 

11 . 

12. 

22. 

49. .. 

101 . 

116. 

121 . 

122 . 

123 . 

124 . 

125 . 

140 . 

141 . 

142 . 

143 . 

144 . 

[Assem. Doc. No. 126.] 


235 

258 

211 

231 

130 

160 

198 

171 

136 

152 

154 

180 

150 

134 

139 

118 

150 

127 


36 








































282 Report of Verplanck Colvin 

Township 14. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

North J and South East ^, Residue of Township. 

50 . 160 

51 . 160 

99. S. W. cor. 33 

South West Conklin and Others’ Tract. 
Johnsburgh: 

1 . 178 

2 . 150 

3 . 112 

4 . 150 

5 . 150 

6 . 150 

7 . 150 

9. 150 

11 . 115 

12 . 178 

16. 150 

18 . 150 

19 . 150 

22. 112 

24 . 178 

25 . 378 

26 . 150 

27 . 112 

Township 24. 

Chester: 

18. N. Ft. 300 

25. 420 

29. Sub. 12, N. E. P’t. 16 

33. S. P’t. 100 

38. S. W. cor., 35 c. N. and S. and 20 c. E. and W. 70 

Warrensburgh Tract. 

Warren sburgh: 

3. 201 




























on State Land Survey. 


283 


APPENDIX C. 

LIST OF STATE LANDS 

ACQUIRED BY SALE OF 1881. 


CLINTON COUNTY. 

STATE LANDS.-TITLE FROM 1881 TAX SALE. 


Total number of acres 11,402.78. 

DETAILED STATEMENT. 

Duerville Patent. 

Town and lot. Area in acres 

Altona: 

21. 250 

Dannemora: 

26. E. P’t, 175 a. b’d W. by Wm. Year’s 41-§- a. and 
T. Defon’s or Lafere’s 33f- a. ex. 91 a. E. part 
thereof. 84 

Beekmantown: 

29. E. end, 95 a. ex. 52 a. S. P’t, and 19J a. being all 
95 a. E. end of lot in S. \ of N. E. 23 j- a. ex. 

4J a. S. end thereof.. 23f 

58. Ex. 25 a. S. E. cor. 225 

Altona: 

76. S. W. i . 62£ 

Beekmantown : 

80. N. W. J 


62 i 










284 Report of Verplanck Colvin 


GORES. 

State Gore between Old Military and Refugee Tracts. 


Town and lot. Area in acres. 

Dannemora: 

65. Und. J, heretofore paid by J. M. Davison. 38*^ 

Hockstrosser Lot. 


B’d N. by lots 62 and 63 of the Gore between Old 
Military and Refugee Tracts, E. by lots 231 and 
233 Refugee Tract, S. by lot 5 Pion Patent and 


W. by lots 64 and 65 of Gore aforesaid. 500 

Livingston Patent. 

Division 5, Hart Tract. 

Peru : 

2 . 75i 

3 . 75£ 

Division 8, Slocum Tract. 

Black Brook : 

19... 100 


Maul’s Patent. 

Ausable: 

196. B’d 1ST. and E. by land formerly of Earl Pierce, 

S. by Ausable river and W. by School House 
Lot and lands sold in 1841 by Martin Pope to 
Hugh McClerkin. 16 


Old Military Tract. 


Black Brook: 


Township 3. 


17. Sub. 4. 

24. Ex. 145 a. b’d N. 43 c. 25 1. by a line running S. 
89° E. from a point on the W’ly line of lot 
29 c. 10 1. H. from the centre of the Port Kent 
and Hopkinton turnpike to the Saranac River, 
E’ly by said river, S. 2 c. by a line par’l with 
the N. line of lot, and W. 71 c. 10 1. by lot line. 

26 H. E. cor., square. 

72. S. E. cor., 125 a., b’d H. by S. line of Moses 
Perry’s land and by a continuation E. of said 
S. line to E. line of lot, and W. by John Mus- 
grove’s 50 a., ex. 10 a. S. E. cor. thereof. 



708 

113 

115 


Township 4. 


10. Sub. 2 
10. Sub. 7 


100 

100 













on State Land Survey. 

i 

Township 4 — continued. 


285 


Town and lot. 

Saranac : 


Area in acres. 


48. B’d N. by J. Farrell, E. by Hanlon, S. by lot 

line, and W. by Caffee.. 17 

88. N. § .. 320 


Clinton: 


Township 6. 


34. N. W. cor., 94 r. wide N. and S., and 120 r. long 

E. and W. 

48. On N. line 118 r. W. from N. E. cor., 20 r. long 

N. and S., and 9| r. wide E. and W . 

51. On W. line 160 r. 1ST. from S. W. cor., 100 r. 

wide N. and S., and 106 r. long E. and W.... 
51. Sixty r. E. from W. line and 18 r. S. from centre 
line of lot, 142 r. long N. and S., and 38 r. 

wide E. and W ..*. 

55. S. W. cor., 220 r. wide N. and S. and 320 r. long 
E. and W., 440 a., ex. 340 a. S. P’t thereof, b’d 
N. by line par’l with and 152 r. S. from N. 
line of lot. 


70 
1 3 

66 

33 

100 


Saranac: 


Pion Patent. 


4. B’d N. by centre, E. by Douglass, S. by line, 
and W. by J. Dwyre. 



Refugee Tract. 


420 a. Lots. 

Altona: 

87. 

161. 

185. All S. of turnpike, of 70 a. E. side of lot 

191. E. 4. 

223. H. P’t of H. E. i. 

223. S. P’t of 51 a. N. P’t of E. \ . 


Plattsburgh: 

251. At Cadyville, owned by James Norcross, b’d 

by centre of plankroad, E. by Mike Sullivan, 
and S. and W. by Basil David, and being 2 c. 
62 1. wide N. and S., and 3 c. 17 L long E. 

and W . 

251. Sub. 1, in the H. E. cor. of lot, 12 r. wide E. and 
W., b’d S. by the centre of the highway lead¬ 
ing in 1848 from Cadyville to Saranac, and W. 
by a line par’l to E. line of lot. 


420 

420 

46 

210 

51 

25J 


8 3 


TUT) 



















286 


Keport of Yerplanck Colvin 


ESSEX COUNTY. 


Total number of acres 24,994.76. 

* 

DETAILED STATEMENT. 

Essex Tract, Henry Survey. 

Town and lot. Area in acres 

Jay: 

142. 176 

168. 160 

Keene: 

181. 160 

185. 172 

222. 160 

Hoffman Township. 

Schroon: 

1. Ex. 100 a. S. "W. cor..... 150 

1. S. "W. cor., 100 a. ex. S. W. £ of lot. 37|- 

3. Ex. und. \ p’d by T. E. Davis and und. ^ p’d 

by E. O’Comar. 150 

5. Und. \ formerly paid by Finch, Pruyn and Co.. 125 

9. Ex. 10 a., being S. W. cor. 89 a. ex. 79 a. S. W. 

cor. thereof. 240 

10. 250 

58. 250 

74. E. ^ ex. 75 a. K. P’t thereof. 50 

81. All in Scroon. 125 

93. S. W. Ft. 120 

Minerva: 

94. N. \ ex. 45 a. W. P’t and 35 a. N. P’t of rem.. 


45 

















on State Land Survey. 


287 


Iron Ore Tract. 

Town and lot. Aroa in a< 

Elizabethtown: 

77. Ex. nnd ^ p’d by Albany and Rensselaer Iron 

and Steel Co. 106 

78. S. 4. 72 

80 ... 110 

105. All W. of Highway. 19 

105. Ex. 236 a. E. P’t and 19 a W. of Highway. 19 

106. 31 

205. S. E. J ex. nnd. J thereof paid by Hartwell. 30f 

218. 50 

221. 115 

Jay Tract. 

Wilmington: 

29. 429 


Chesterfield: 

106. N.4 


Maul’s Patent. 


North River Head Tract. 

North Hudson: 

44. 

83. All in North Hudson... 

Old Military Tract. 
Townships 1 and 2, Richards ’ Survey. 

Keene: 

51. All in Keene. 

52. Same. 

Wilmington: 

54. E. ^ of W. 4... 

Township 11. 

St. Armand: 

45. N. ^ and S. E. \ . 

North Elba: 

78. S. W. { . 

114. N. W. i . 

136. Same. 

137. S. \ and N. E. J. 


100 


160 

80 


416 

514f 

167 


120 


40} 

40 

30 

150 


W|tO 

























288 Deport of Verplanck Colvin 

Township 11 — continued. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

175. N.E. £. 40 

177. W, £. 50 

St. Arm and: 

181. W. side 35 c. wide, 105 a., ex. 100 a. W. side 

thereof. o 

185. N. E. £. 75 

North Elba: 

198. TJnd. -I of S. E. £ heretofore p’d by Amanda 

Lyon........ .. 32£ 

253. S. W. £. 40 

St. Armand: 

324. 160 


North Elba: 


Township 12, Richards' Survey. 


2. Sub. 1, ex. N. W. £... 

10. Sub. 3, ex. und. £ p’d by David Jones, und. £ 
p’d by Clias. N. Williams and und. p’d by 

Oliver Abel... 

10. Sub. 4, ex. und. £ p’d by David Jones, und. £ 
p’d by Chas. N. Williams, und. p’d by 
Oliver Abel and und. £ p’d by Chas. H. Faxon,’ 

32. N. £, ex. S. E. £ of N. W. £. 

33. N. E. 4- of N. E £. .. 


North Elba: 


Thorn's Survey. 


5. 

6 . 
11 . 
21 . 
28. 
31. 
48. 
55. 
62. 
66 . 
69. 
83. 

120 . 

121 . 

127. 

128. 
132. 

140. 

141. 

142. 


S.E.£. . 

Same... 

N. E. £ and S. W. £ 

N. E. £. 

N. E.£. 

N. £. 

Ex. N. E. £. 

S. W. £. 

U P 1 

kJ • jLi • ~ 2 ~ • • * • »••%•••# 

N. W. £. 

S. W.£. 

Same. 

W. £. 

N. W. £. 


S ir i 

• JL—i • X **••••• • • • • •••• • • • • •••••••• •••• 

N. W. £. 

S. E. £................................... 

Same. 


123 


82 t V 

44£ 

38£ 


40 

40 

80 

40 

40 

80 

120 

40 

40 

40 

40 

40 

80 

40 

160 

160 

40 

40 

40 

40 





























on State Land Survey. 
Paradox Tract. 


289 


Town and lot. 


Area in acres. 

Ticonderoga: 



22. 


164 

23. 

• 


25. 



North Hudson: 



399. 



419. 


...... .. 1384, 

Moriah: 


■m 

422. 


. 138* 

423. 


. 138* 


Roaring Brook Tract. 


Elizabethtown: 

5. All in Elizabethtown, 106 a., ex. 100 a. E. P’t 

thereof. ' 6 

27. 281 

28. All in Elizabethtown, 131 a. ex. 100 a. E. P’t 

thereof. 31 

Keene: 

38. 284 


Elizabethtown : 

42. All in Elizabethtown, 134 a. ex. 100 a. E. 


P’t thereof . 34 

43. 284 


TOTTEN AND CROSSFIELD’S PURCHASE. 


Township 14, Pond’s Survey. 
North \ and South East J. 

Minerva: 

6 . 

19. 

62. 

77. 

81. 

87 . 

88 . 

93. 

101 ... 

102 . 

103 . 

104 . 

[Assem. Doc. No. 126.] 


160 

160 

168 

166 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

240 

198 

132 


37 




























290 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


Township 16. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

16. 1ST. E. \ . 250 

17. Same. . 250 

21. Ex. und. \ p’d by Julia A. Kent. 500 

24. W. i . 500 


30. 

64. 

69. 

71. 

72. 

73. 
78. 


Township 25. 
Bailey’s Patent. 


» 


117 

100 

100 

122 

100 

100 

100 


Thorn's Surrey. 

2 . 97 

3 . 98 

4 . 130 

6 . 105 

7 . 90 

8 . 90 

9 . 120 

10 .. 120 

11 . 140 

12 . 120 

13 . 120 

14 . 160 

17. 120 

19. 160 

21. Ore Bed Lot. 140 

25. 160 

29. Ex. 24 a. S. E. cor., 8 c. wide N. and S. and 30 

c. long E. and W. 136 

30. Ex. 36 a. S. P’t., 9 c. wide N. and S. and 40 c. 

long E. and W. 124 

31. 140 

Township 26. 

15 . 200 

16 . 200 

17. 200 

33. 160 

36. E. P’t. 92 

49. Ex. 75 a. W’ly P’t. 165 

71. 200 








































on State Land Survey. 


291 


Town and lot. 


Township 26 — continued. 

Area in acres. 


96. Ex. 73£ a. S. W. cor.; 30| c. long N. and S. and 

24 c. wide E. and W. 

96. S. W. cor. 30!- c. long N. and S., and 24 c. wide E. 

and W. 

103. All of 162 a. W. P’t contained in 25 a. S. P’t 

of 75 a. N. P’t. of lot. 

103. All of 162 a. W. P’t. contained in 25 a. S. P’t 
of 100 a. N. P’t of lot. 

105. N.W. P’t. 

106. S. P’t... 

109. All not previously owned by State. 

110. S. P’t. 

114. E.4. 

117. S. P’t. 


244 

209£ 

73£ 

17* 


50 

76 

111 

36 

118 

100 


Township 27, Richard's Survey. 

Newcomb : 

33.. 160 

35. 160 


Township 45. 

Keene: 

38. All in Keene... 480 

39. All in Keene of 100 a. S. E. cor. of lot. 40 


North Hudson: 
12. Ex. 250 


Township 49. 

a. N. E. cor. and 253 a. S. E. cor. 


547 


Township 50. 


Newcomb : 

60 and 61. All in Newcomb 

65. Same. 

91. 


107. Ex. 50 a. S. W. cor 


190 

131 

85 

89 


Tract West of Road Patent. 

North Hudson : 

7.. 

33 . 

34 .... *. 

36 . 

37 . 

40. 

54. 


6 8 * 
IhVu 
160 
160 
160 
160 
160 





























292 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


Tract west of Road Patent — continued. 

Town and lot. Area in acres 

Schroon : 


73. 

74. 

75. 
82. 
91. 
93. 

101 . 

105. 


113. Und. \ heretofore p’d by R. Seaman 


117... 

134. Ex. und. * p’d by T. E. Davies for 1875, for¬ 
merly p’d by A. Smith and und. * p’d by E. 
O. Comar. 


138. 

139. 

141. 

142. 

147. 

148. 


160 

160 

160 

160 

120 

160 

115 

60 

160 


1AK 9 2 

L±Dr nnf 

96 

50 * 


83 
74 s 


8 6 £ 
160 


Minerva: 

149. 

151. 

152. 
156. 
163. 
166. 


157 

141 

182 

144 

167 

167 


Chesterfield: 

15. E. P’t 


Trembleau Tract. 


50 


























I 


I 

on State Land Survey. 293 


FRANKLIN COUNTY. 


Total number of acres 9, 884.75. 

DETAILED STATEMENT. 

Gore East of Township 9, Old Military 'Tract 1. 

Town and lot. Area in acres* 

Bellmont: 

9. 122 

MACOMB’S PURCHASE. 

Great Tract 1. 

Township 11. 

Brandon: 

1. Sub. 2. . .. 48 

Township 12. 

Duane: 

4. B’d N. by Widow Berrey’s land and N. E. cor. 
of lot, or line par’l to S. line of lot, E. and W. 
by lot lines and S. by Mordecai Ladd’s lands . 199 

9. 619 

12. B’d N. by E. or E. M. Ladd’s land, E. by M. 
or E. M. Ladd’s land, S. by H. and J. Kerry’s 

land and W. by lot line. 63 

23. Sub. 3... . 115 

25. Ex. 100 a- N. E. cor. ..... * 560 

36. S. W. cor. 100 

Township 14. 

South \ and North East J, Nathan Ward’s Sub¬ 
division. 

Brandon: 

11. S. \ . 33 

12. S. \ of N. W. \ .. 35f 

14. N. i . 38 













294 


Beport of Yerplanck Colvin 


Township 14 — continued. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

16. N. \ of S. f . 35^ 

36. W. ex. N. \ and S. 4- thereof. 421 

44. N. \ . 40| 

59. Kf.. 80 

72. N. i of S. |.. 42^- 

74. Same... 36-^j- 

108. N. i . 36 


Duane: 

4. E. P’t 
11 . 

4. 

7. 

14. 

16. 


Brighton: 

42. W. 4 
75. 


Township 15. 
North East 


North West J. 


»••• *••• • -,» 
South West 


345 

469 

119 

163^- 

163 

117 


50 * 
103 


Toivnship 23. 

South East £. 

Brandon: 

E. end of 1,240 a. S. end. 

South West 

N. E. cor. 80 c., long N. and S. and 49^^ c., 
wide E. and W. 


300 

396' 


Township 27. 

NorthWest J. 

Harriettstown: 

Lot 1, 390 \ a. and W. | of lot 3, 195j- a. in 1,561 
a. W. end of 1,961 a. N. P’t... 585f 

Old Military Tract. 


Township 8. 

Bellmont: 

85. All not contained in 250 a. S. E. cor. square, of 


all ex. 240 a. N. W. cor. . . 390 

87. E \ . 320 























on State Land Survey. 
Township 9. 


295 


Town and lot. 

81. K E. { 

Franklin : 

102 . 17. i of W. 120 a. 

186. KE.i . 

191. S. E. £. 

206. W. P’t in Tanner’s Pond 

213. 17. and S. W. 4. 

255... 

Bellmont: 

273 . 

274 . 

Franklin: 

295. 


Area in acres. 

. 40 


40 

45 

40 

60 

120 

175 


160 

160 


200 


Bellmont: 

305. Ex. 25 a. 17. W. cor. 135 

309. S. W. £. 40 

341. E. £. 80 

342 . 85 

343 . 107 

346. Ex. 40 a. 1ST. E. cor. 20 c. square and 80 a. S. P’t 

b’d 17. by a line par’l to S. line. 79^- 


Frankl in: 

350. B'd beg. in S. W. cor. of lot, th. 17. 20 c., th. 17. 

50° E. 22 c., 33 1., tk. S. 40° E. 30 c.,th. S. 50° 

W. 8 c., 33 1., to S. line of lot and th. W. on S. 

line to beg. 69^ 

354. 220 t V 

356. S. W. i . 42 t 6 ^ 


Township 10. 

83. W.P’t. 108 

88. 168 

116. .. 200 

153. 200 

191. 200 

195. S. £ of 80 a. E. P’t. 40 

212. 200 

285 17. W. \ . 50 

290. Ex. S. 4 of 17. W \ 16f a. and 43£ a. being 
so much of the S. E. £ as is not contained in 
S. 4 of W. 120 a. 140 































296 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


i 


FULTON COUNTY. 


Total number of acres 2, 737.12. 

DETAILED STATEMENT. 

Chase’s Patent. 

Town and lot Area in acres. 

Bleecker: 

41 . 100 

42 . 100 

44. W. Ft. 50 

52. E. P’t... 50 

56. 100 

69. ....... . 100 

Mayfield: 

101. All in Mayfield. 10 

Bleecker: 

103. All in Bleecker... 15 

Glen, Bleecker and Lansing Patent. 

Mayfield: 

4. Sub. 2. 99 

11. Sub. 3. 105 

11. Sub. 4. 105 

11. Sub. 7. 100 

11. Sub. 9. 105 

11. Sub. 11. 100 

11. Sub. 12. 100 

Bleecker: 

15. Sub. 1. 125 

Mayfield: 

16. Sub. 1. 100 




















on State Land Survey. 
Glen. etc.. Patent — continued. 

Town and lot. 

Bleecker: 

33. E. Ft. 

43. Sub. 3 ex. 74} a. E. P’t. *. 

43. Sub. 4 ex. 109} a. E. Ft. 

43. Sub, 8, ex. 74} a. E. P’t. 


297 


Area in acres. 


100 

24} 

36} 

24} 


Jerseyfield Patent. 


Stratford. 

32. Sub 5. E. P’t of W. 1. 

66. S. E. }. 

90. H. W. cor. 200 a. ex. 160 a. H. W. cor. thereof. 


123 

250 

40 


Lour and Low’s Patent. 

Caroga: 

11. Sub. 2, H. P’t b’d H. by Mann E. and W. by lot 

lines and S. by stone. 34 

11. Sub. 3. S. P’t 120 a. ex. 80} a, S. P’t thereof b’d 

H. by I. T. Hudson. . . 39-J 

Stratford: 

29. S. W. cor. 40 


Bleecker: 


Mayfield Patent, 


53 . 

54 ... 

55. W. P’t in Bleecker. 

66 . All in Bleecker. 

67. All in Bleecker, 42 a. ex. 30 a. W. P’t thereof.. 

67. W. P’t in Bleecker... 

91. S. P’t. 


100 

130 

38 

i il¬ 
ia 

30 

33 


Caroga: 

100. S. E. cor........ 

102. S. E. }. 

103. H. end. 

[Assem. Doc. Ho. 126.] 



96 

50 

60 




-v* 



















298 


Report of Yerplanck Colvin 


HAMILTON COUNTY. 


Total number of acres 93, 316.91. 

DETAILED STATEMENT. 

Arthurboro Patent. Tifft (J. G.) Tract. 

Town and lot Area in acres. 

Morehouse: 

2. E. P’t. 100 

Benson Township. 

Benson: 

10. Si.". 80 

19. N. P’t.., . 150 

Arietta: 

27. .. 160 

30. 214 

32 . 160 

33 . 160 

34 . 160 

Benson: 

42. 160 

44. 160 

63. W.i . 80 

84. All in Benson. 80 

Arietta: 

84. All in Arietta. 80 

87. .. 160 

88. 160 

Benson: 

95. All in Benson. 80 

Arietta: 

95. All in Arietta. 80 




















on State Land Survey, 299 

Benson Township — continued. 

Town and lot. Area In acres. 

Benson : 

97. 160 

118. Ex. 30 a. S. E. cor. square. 212 

137. 160 

152 . 160 

153 . 160 

154 . 160 

169.'. 154 

182. 160 

183. 160 

196. All in Benson. 80 

Arietta: 

196. All in Arietta. 80 

Benson: 

211. . 160 

213. 160 

215. 160 

226. 160 

227. 160 

22S. S. W. cor. 25 

229. 160 

243. 160 

261. 160 

267. 160 

272. 160 

273. E. side. 40 

274 . 160 

275 . 160 

276 . 160 

281..-. 160 

285 . 160 

286 . 160 

288. 160 

295. 160 

305. 160 

308. 160 

310 . 160 

311 . 160 

317. 160 

318 . 160 

319 . 160 

324. Ex. 25 a. N. E. cor. square. 135 

Wells: 

334. 160 

335. 160 











































300 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


Benson Township — continued. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

337. 160 

340 . 160 

341 . 160 

344. 160 

347. 160 

350. 160 

374. N. W. cor. 90 


BERGEN’S PURCHASE. • 

Patent No. 2. 

All S. of W. branch of Sacandaga river, 410 a. ex. 

50 a. N. W. cor. thereof, resident land of Seth 
Pratt; 25 a. b’d beg. at a beech tree at S. W. 
cor. of lands of Elias Kellogg, th. N. 62^° E. 

13 c. 50 1. to th. West river, th. S. 27j-° E. 18 c. 

52 1. to a maple sapling, th. S. 62^-° W. 13 e. 501. 
to a stake and th. N. 27-g-° W. 18 c. 52 1. to beg.; 

150 a. on W’ly line of Patent, 19 c. from S. "W. 
cor. thereof, 41 c. wide N. and S’ly, b’d N. E’ly 
by the Vorse Creek branch of Sacandaga river 
and being 20 c. long on N’ly line and 67 c. 
on S’ly line ; 50 a. on S’ly line of Patent, 57 c. 

E’ly from S. W. cor. thereof, 20 c. wide N’ly and 
S’ly, b’d N. E’ly by W. branch of Sacandaga 
river and being 10 c. long on N’ly line and 39 c. 
on S’ly line and 66 a. b’d N. E’ly by W. branch 
of Sacandaga river, S’ly by Vorse Creek and S. 

W’ly by 25^ a. of E. Kellogg andN. W’ly by 
land of Seth Brott and E. Kellogg. 69 


Patent No. 7. 


1, 2, 3 and 4. Sub. 4, Calvin Osborn lot, b’d N. by 
W. G. Lobdell’s lot, E. by lot 9, S. by lands of R. 

G. Ostrander and W. by Sacandaga river. 

1, 2, 3 and 4. Sub. 9, b’d N. by Sub. 8, S. by Patent 
line and W, by Calvin Osborn’s lot.. ,,,, 


100 

100 


Chase’s Patent. 


Benson : 

91. E. P’t, in Benson. 15 

104. All in Benson. 50 


Glen, Bleecker and Lansing Patent. 
7. S. P’t. 


666 















on State Land Survey 
Lawrence Patent 


301 


Town and lot. 

Arietta: 


Area in acres. 


635 


Morehouse : 

9. All of 70 a. square, in N. W. cor. of lot, contained 

in 157 a. all in Morehouse. 55 A 


Arietta: 

25.. 

29...‘ 

43. Ex. 100 a. E. side and 100 a. S. W. cor 


635 

635 

435 


Morehouse: 

46. Ex. 157 a. W, P’t 


618 


Moose River Tract. 

Township 3. 

65. All in Morehouse 80 a. ex. und. f p’d by P. J. 


Munn. 26f 

79. Ex. und. f heretofore p’d by Est. of P. J. Munn. 56 

91. .Same. 56 

103. Same. 56 


Township 4. 

32. Ex. und. J, p’d by T. S. Gold. 

33. Same. 

34. Same. 

39. Same. . . 

40. Same. 

4rl 

64. Ex. und. \ of E. 4 p’d by T. S. Gold. 

65. Same. 

66 . Same... 

79. 

83. Ex. und. § p’d by Est. of P. J. Munn. 

84. Same... 

87. Ex. und. -J p’d by C. L. Benedict. 

88. Rem. water, ex. und. -J p’d by C. L. Benedict .. 

97. Ex. und. j- p’d by Est. of P. J. Munn .. 

98. Ex. und. J p’d by Est. of P. J. Munn, and und. 

I of W. f p’d by C. L. Benedict. 

99. Ex. und. f p’d by Est. of P. J. Munn. 

104. Ex. und. f p’d by Est. of P. J. Munn, and und. 

£ of N. i p’d by C. L. Benedict. 


120 

120 

120 

120 ' 

120 

120 

186| 

186f 

186| 

213 

71 

71 

142 

1134 



35J 




























302 Report of Verplanck Colvin 

Township 4 — continued. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

105. Ex. und. § p’d by Est. of P. J. Munn. 71 

106. Same. 71 

107. Ex. und. | p’d by Est. of P. J. Munn, and und. 

I of E. £ p’d by C. L. Benedict. 35$ 

Township 9. 

Arietta: 

3. K E. Ft. 25 

144. Ex. 200 a. JST. P’t. 70 

Lake Pleasant: 

149. S. E. cor. of E. -J. 75 

150. W’ly £ of 100 a. N., or N. W. P’t. 50 

Oxbow Tract. 

13. Ex. 50^- a. X. W. cor., 22 c. square. 269^ 

Wells: 

32. All in Wells. 42 

Arietta: 

40 . 309 

41 . 309 

43. ...• 154 

44. Ex. 25 a. 27. E. cor. 130 

50. All in Arietta. 40 

W ells: 

. 50. All in Wells. 115 

52. All in Wells. 100 

Lake Pleasant: 

53. All in Lake Pleasant. 130 

Wells: 

53. All in Wells. 25 

Arietta: 

68 . 154 

76. 154 

110 . 154 

111 . 154 

128. P’t water. 154 

129 . 154 

130 . 154 

131 . 154 

144. 154 

191. 154 

245. 154 


i 































on State Land Survey. 





Town and lot. 

248. . 
250. . 
269. . 
292. . 


Oxbow Tract 


— continued. 


303 


Area in acres. 

. 137 

. 155 

. 179 

. 233 


PALMER’S PURCHASE. 


Wells: 


General Allotment. 


1. Sub. 2. 

5. N. W. cor. of, all in Wells. 

5. All in Wells, ex. 200 a. N. W. cor., and 200 a. 

Sub.’s 8 and 9. 

8 . Sub. 1. 

8 . Sub. 3...; . 

19. All in Wells. 


100 

200 

350 

100 

100 

50 


Rear Division ; Leffert’s Tract. 
North J. 

Range 3. 


7. 100 

8. 100 


TOTTEN & CROSSEIELD’S PURCHASE. 


Township 1. 
South East J-. 


Yan Wagoner Tract. 


Allotment 3. 

7. 

9. 

10 . 

12 . 


68 

80 

80 

145 


3 . 

4. 

5. 

6 . 

18. 

19. 

20 . 


South West -J-. 


W. i 


. 193 

. 204 

. 142 £ 
. 3264 
. 227 

. 279 

. 329 


























304 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


Township 2. 


Jones’ Map. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

Lake Pleasant: 

10. !N. W. cor. 91 

11. Ex. 50 a. N. end. 219 

32 Ex. 100 a. S’ly side, R. R. land. 169 

33. Ex. 85 a. S. P’t. 184 


Township 3. 


Arietta: 

1. N. E. *. 37* 

21. S. 1 , Ex. 25 a. E. end thereof. 50 

40. All in Arietta.. 75 

Lake Pleasant : 

40. All in Lake Pleasant. 75 


Arietta: 


43. Ex. 30 a. N. W. cor., square. 120 

46. S. W.J. 37^ 

48. 150 


Lake Pleasant: 


55. S. W. *. 

78. K E. *. 

Arietta : 

86. W. end of S. * 
95. S. W. *. 

Lake Pleasant : 


.. 37* 

.. 37* 


5 

87 * 


96. All in Lake Pleasant, ex. 38 a. S. E. cor. thereof. 32 


Arietta: 

104. Ex. 15 a. S. W. cor., sq. 135 

105. Same.. 135 

106. Ex. 20 a. S. E. cor., sq. 130 

107. R. E. *, and W. *, ex. 10 a. S. end thereof. 102* 

110 . Ex. 20 a. N. E. cor., sq. 130 

111 . Ex. 20 a. S. E. cor., sq. 130 

312. E. * and N. W. *, ex. 10 a. N. W. cor., sq. 102 * 

113. Ex. 10 a. N. E. cor., sq. 140 

116. Ex. 10 a. N. W. cor., sq. 140 

117. Ex. 10 a. 1ST. E. cor., sq. 140 

118. Ex. 20 a. N. W. cor., sq. 130 

123. All in Arietta, 75 a. ex. 1 a. S’ly end thereof... 74 

125. Ex. 15 a. S. W. cor., sq. 135 

131. N. W. *, and S. E. { ex. 2 a. K W. cor.,sq_ 73 

132. Ex. 10 a. N. E. cor., sq. 05 

133. Ex. 15 a. N. E. cor., sq. 285 





























on State Land Survey. 
Township 5. 


305 


Town and lot. 

Morehouse: 


Area in acres. 


All in Morehouse of 1,000 a. und. in N. E. £ of 
Township heretofore p’d by J. W. and J. R. 

Van Alstyne. -. 808 

All of E. \ in Morehouse, 6,903 a. ex. 808 a. as 
above and ex. 640 a., Gospel, School and Litera¬ 
ture lands.5,455 

All of W. £ in Morehouse 11,745 a. ex. 947 a., 
being so much of lot 4, Nivens Tract, as is in 
said town, and 640 a. Gospel, School and Lit¬ 
erature lands. 9,650J 


Township 6. 


Lake Pleasant: 

24. All in Lake Pleasant. 89 

30. Same. 150 

31. Same. 150 


Township 7. 

All of N’ly J and S’ly \ in Lake Pleasant, ex. 
1,150 a. all of W. \ of N. \ in Lake Pleasant; 
2,100J a. S. P’t of S. E. J, 87 T 5 ^ c. wide N. and 
S.; 750 a. N. Pt. of S. W. 31J c. wide N. 
and S.; and 1,575 a. N’ly -J of N. E. j-; ex. 
und. £ of all thereof, formerly Adirondack Co. 


lands. 4,874f 

Lots 8, 9, and 10 in a tract of 1,000 a. E’ly end 
of S’ly £ of N’ly \ of Township. 300 

Township 8. 

North 

5. 260 

6. 260 

7. S. end. 50 

9. Und. rem. Adirondack Co. lands. 30 

11. Same. 30 

12. Same. 30 

46. Same .. 25 

South East j-. 

2 . 125 

3 . 125 

6 . 125 

7 . 125 

South West 

[Assent. Doc. No. 126.] 39 





















306 


Report of Yerplanck Colvin 


Suckley Tract. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

Being what remains of S. W. \ of Township 
after ex. 2,500 a. S. W. cor. thereof and 320 a., 
being so much of the Literature lot as is con¬ 
tained therein.3,480 

Townships 10 and 29. 

Wells: 

10. Ex. 450 a. N’ly end and 450 a. S’ly end. 143 

10. S’ly end. 450 

Township 19. 

Indian Lake: 

N. E. J, ex. 4,959 a. E. P’t thereof and 320 a. 

Gospel and School lands.1,021 

E. P’t of IN. E. i 1,325 a. and N. W. \ ex. 320 a. 

Gospel, School and Literature lands.7,305 

Township) 21. 

Long Lake: 

32. E. % . 100 

44. N. E. P’t. 150 

123. E. P’t. 100 

Township 22. 

South 

8. S. Ft. 54 

9. 158 

64. All ]S r . and E. of Big Brook. 149 

Township 23. 

(Including Triangle.) 

1. Ex. 75 a. N. E’ly end. 73 

Township 32. 

Indian Lake: 

S. E. cor., square, 5,800 a., ex. water, so much of 
Literature lot as is contained therein and ex. an 
undivided f of remainder p’d by Zenas Yan 
Dusen and S. G. Goodman.1,811J 

Toivnship 33. 

East Part of North k Allotted. 

« * 

28. Und. rem. Adirondack Co’s land... 80 

Township 34. 

Ex. 4,000 a. S’ly end of Township; 1,280 a. Gos¬ 
pel, School and Literature lots; 100 a. on N. 

















on State Land Survey 


307 


Township 34 — continued. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

side of Middle Eckford Lake, known as the 
Ordway place “ b’d beg. at the outlet of said 
Lake on the N. side thereof, th. N’ly 25 c., 'tli. 

E’ly 40 c., th. S’ly 25 c. to Lake shore and th. 

W’ly along said shore 40 c. to beg.; ” and also 
about 6,245 a. covered by water.13,575 

Township* 38. 

N. E. cor., 250 a., and 1,900 a., being Lots 6, 7, 

26, 38, 43, 49, 55 and 56...2,160 

23. 208 

Township 41. 

All in Long Lake, 21,474 a., ex. 2,583 ^ a. N. P’t 
of N. E. b’d S. by a line par’l to N. line; 

669 a. W. end of all that remains of U. E. ^ 
after ex. 4,783 a. R. P’t thereof; 3,455 a. W. 
end of S. E. ; 5,931 a. S. W. \; 937 a. und. 
(subsequently claimed by the Adirondack Co.) 
in that part of the N. W. \ lying in Hamilton 
Co., and not covered by the Gospel and School 
lots; and 420 a., being so much of Gospel and 

School lots as is contained in rem. 7,478-J- 

Und. 937 a. (subsequently claimed by the Adi¬ 
rondack Co.) in that part of the N. W. flying 
in Hamilton County and not covered by the 
Gospel and School lots, ex. und. \ Adirondack 

Co.’s land. 46S£ 

W. end of H. E. J, after ex. 4,783 a 17, P’t 
thereof, 669 a.; W. end of S. E. J, 3,455 a.; 
and S. W. ex. 5,655 a. W. P’t thereof, 276 
a.; in all 4,400 a. ex. 618 a. thereof in Gospel, 


School and Literature lots.3,782 

Toionship 50. 

12 and 13. 146 

14 and 15. 190 

37 and 38. 143 

47. Rem. water. 70 

76. All in Long Lake. 30 

89. Same. 25 

Vrooman’s Patent. 

Morehouse: 

10 ... 200 

11 ... 200 

12. All in Morehouse.-. 66 

17. Same . 66 

20. Same . 66 

25. Same . 66 




















308 


Keport of Yerplanck Colvin 


HERKIMER COUNTY. 


Total number of acres 11,434.89. 
DETAILED STATEMENT. 


Jerseyfield Patent. 


Town and lot. Area in acrest 

Salisbury: 

3. N. E. cor. of N. W. \ . 50 


Ohio: 

8. All of E. J in Ohio, 586 a. ex. 249 T ^- a. being 
all therein of 250 a. N. E. cor. of lot. 

Salisbury : 

24. E. \ .. 

35. S. E. J, ex. 50 a. S. side across, and 84-^ a. 
being all not covered by 50 a. S’ly side across, 
of a 104 a. parcel on S’ly line of lot, beg. 
IT c. 99 1. from S. E. cor. thereof and being 44 
c. 50 1. long at right angles to S. line of lot and 

23 c. 60 1. wide E’ly and W’ly. 

38. B’d N. by 200 a. N. end of W. -J, E. by centre 
line of iot, S. by 300 a. S. p’t of W. \ and W. 

by lot line.. 

38. N. P’t. of E. of N. E. 106J a. ex. 50 a. b’d. 
N. by 50 a. N. end thereof and S. by 25 a. S. 
end of E. \ of N. E. i. 

38. S. i of 50 a. S’ly P’t. of 200 a. S. P’t of W. I 

of lot.. 

39. E. ^... 

39. W. . 

Ohio: 

40. B’d beg. S. 57° E. 45 c. 75 1. from S. W. cor., 

th. N. 33° E. 44 c., th. S. 57° E. 24 c. 25 1., th. 
S. 33° W. 44 c. and th. N. 57° W. 24 c. 25 1. to 
beg. 


336 


525 




25 


56J- 

25 

525 

525 


107 














/ 


on State Land Survey. 309 

Jersey field Patent — continued. 

Town and lot. Area In acres. 

Salisbury : 

50. N. P’t of all in Salisbury, b’d S. by lands of Tlios. 

E. Proctor, 153J a. ex. 15 a. N. E. cor. thereof 138|- 

Ohio : 

42. In S. end of E. ^ b’d. N. by lands of Augustis 
Christman, E. by lands of Hoxie McNeal, S. 
by lot 21 and W, by lands of Hugh Clark.... 166 

52. S. W. cor. 20 

Salisbury : 

5T. S.W . cor., sq , 476 T 4 (7 7 Tr a. and on W. lineadj. afore¬ 
said 4T6 t 4 ^j- a., sq., 15 a. 491 

Ohio: 

82. All in Ohio. 986 

Nobleboro Patent. 

New Survey. 

Wilmurt: 

20. 200 

24. 150 

46. 150 

49. 150 

56. 150 

67. 150 

93. 150 

95. 150 

101. Ex. 50 a. E. P’t. 100 

103. 150 

115. 150 

116. W. P’t. 125 

117. 150 

121 . 150 

122 . 150 

130 . 150 

131 . 150 

137 . 150 

138 . 150 

139 . 150 

141. 150 

143... 150 

Old Survey. 

48. 300 

97. 300 

99. W. end. 100 






























310 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


Remsenburgh Patent. 


Town and lot. Area in acres. 

12. N. £. 250 

12. S. i . 250 

52. K t of S. £... 100 


Royal Grant. 
2d Allotment. 


Salisbury: 

90. B’d N. by H. Ayres and E. and S. by P. Lucy, 
or P. Locy and W. by Doct. or G. Sweet and 
J. Murphy. 


Salisbury: 

125. S. W. I 


4th Allotment. 


12 

50 


Wilmurt: 


Vrooman’s Patent. 


9. All in Wilmurt 134 a. ex. 60 a. W. end thereof. 

12. Same. 

13. S. £ of 1ST. i . 

IT. All in Wilmurt. 

20. Same, 134 a. ex. 60 a. W. P’t thereof. 

25. All in Wilmurt. * * * *. 

41. All in Wilmurt 134 a. ex. 18 a. ~N. W. P’t 

thereof... 


7 * 

74 

50 

134 

74 

134 

116 


Watson’s East Triangle. 

6. K W. i . 143£ 

27. Ex. 495 a. N. W. cor., and 102 t 5 q 6 15 - a. being all of 
194 T fo a. E. side, across, not contained in 495 a. 

square, in N. W. cor. of lot. 

29.. 658 

Woodhull Tract. 

6. Ex. 2 a. b’d beg. at S. W. cor. of lot, on S. side 
of Creek, th. E’ly along S. line thereof 17 c., th. 

N’ly 2 t 3 q 6 ¥ c. to S. side of Little Woodhull 
Creek, being a triangle, and 49 a. b’d beg. in 
centre of Little Woodhull Creek 17 c. E’ly 
from S. W. cor. thereof, th. along centre of 
Creek N. E’ly 70 c. to E. line of lot, being 7 c. 
wide, 3^°^ c. on each side of the centre of said 


Creek. 549 

12. All in Wilmurt. 166 



















on State Land Survey. 


311 


LEWIS COUNTY. 


9 

Total number of acres 3,903.87. 

DETAILED STATEMENT. 

BOYLSTON PURCHASE. 

Township 13. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

Osceola: 

38. N. W. cor., b’d E. by Griffith and S. by Jackson, 62 

69. N. end. 25 

98. N. W. cor., b’d E. by Hinman and Williams... 120 

98. S. W. cor., b’d N. and E. by R. Stewart. 62 

127. 265 

134. B’d N. and S. by Driscoll, and E. and W. by lot 

lines. 83 

Brantingham Tract. 

Greig: 

6. 240 

73. B’d N. by W. Taylor, E. by A. Benedict, S. by 

Johnson and W. by Holmes. 75 

187. E. side. 73 

188 . 236 

189 . 154 t % 

Lyonsdale: 

308. B’d N. by Chase, E. and S. by Rogers and W. 

by Banning. 14 

Greig and Lyonsdale : 

311. S. W. cor., b’d N. by Holcomb and E. by G. H. 

Brown .. 50 














( 


312 


Town and lot. 

West Turin: 
2 . ... 
6 . ... 


3. 

4. 
7. 

13. 


Report of Verplanck Colyin 

Lyon’s Falls, Village of. 
Block 1. 


Block 2. 


Area in acres. 


¥ 

i 


i 

i 

i 

i 


Block 3. 

1. 

7. 

19. 


i 

4 


i 

1 


Block 4. 

3... 

6 . 

10. 

29 . 

30 . 

Block 5. 

10 . 

11 ..... 

14. Ex. und. f paid Mrs. Julia L. DeCamp 


4 

i 

i 

l 

i 


i 


Block 7. 

3. H. W. -J ex. und. £p’d by Mrs. Julia L.De Camp. 
5. Same . 


MACOMB’S PURCHASE. 


Diana: 

337. 

338. 
906. 

924. 


988 . 


Great Tract 4. 

Ex. 52 a. N. E’ly cor. 

Ex. 40 a. S. W’ly cor.. 

S. W’ly cor. b’d N’ly by Wm. Hunt and others 

and E’ly by Hammond and Morse lands. 

B’d H’ly by lot line, E’ly by Paddock and Judson’s 
and G. W. Leonard’s land, S’ly by Paddock 
and Judson’s land and W’ly by Wm. Leonard 

and Paddock’s and Judson’s land.. 

B’d N’ly by lot 989, E’ly by Paddock and Jud¬ 
son’s land, S’ly by highway, and W’ly by F. 
B. Ward’s land. 


388 

400 

50 

66 

46 

























on State Land Survey. 313 

Great Tract 4 — continued . 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

990. B’d N’lv by lot 991, E’ly by lots 337 and 338, S. 

by lot 989 and Win. Seeley’s land, and W’ly 
by Hugh’s and Paul’s land. 290 

991. S. E. cor. b’d N’lv by La Flewis land, and W’ly 

by Blanchard’s Est. lands. 120 

992. N. E. cor., b’d S’ly by H. Mantle’s land, and 

W’ly by Managhan’s or Managan’s land. 170 

Triangle in Easterly End. 

1. B’d N’ly by S. H. Beache’s, E’ly by Humes, S’ly 

by lot 2, and W’ly by Beaclie’s land. 90 

2. B’d N’ly by loti, E’ly by Hume’s, S’ly by Buell 

and Bartholomew, and W’ly by Buell and 
Beache’s land. 219 


Turnpike Lots. 

24. B’d N’ly and S’ly by lot lines, E’ly Z. H. Ben¬ 


ton’s land, and W’ly Bussell Turnpike. 162 

25. 162 

Great Tract 5, Chassinees Tract. 

Croghan: 

1977. Bange 4, W., 24. N., N. P’t. 20 

Great Tract 6. 

Township 1. 

Lewis: 

38. 257 

[Assem. Doc. No 126.] 40 













314 


.Report of Verplanck Colvin 


■A 


SARATOGA COUNTY. 


Total number of acres 1,687.00. 

DETAILED STATEMENT. 

Glen (John) and 44 Others’ Patent. 

Town and lot. 

Edinburgh: 

38. All in Edinburgh 

Corinth : 

38. B’d N. and S. by lot lines, E. by D. Steadman or 

S. McCarl lot and W. by Town of Edinburgh. 

39. All in Corinth. 

51. Same.. 

Edinburgh: 

85, 86, 87 and 88. Sub. 6. 100 

Kayaderosseras Patent. 

24th Allotment. 


63 

112 

86 


lArea in acres 

150 


Great Lot 1. 


Corinth : 


Town of Corinth. 


2. Sub. 2, S. P’t 


100 


Great Lot 2. 

Town of Corinth. 

1. Sub. 1, N. P’t, b’d S. by Hewitt, Clark, Spauld¬ 
ing and Andrews, 900 a. ex. 200 a. S. ^ of 600 

a. N. end. 700 

2 or B. S. P’t, 737 a. ex. 400 a. b’d N. by Chrysler 

lot, E. by lot line and S. by N. M. Houghton. 337 












on State Land Survey 






315 


Kayaderosseras Patent — continued . 


Great Lot 3. 

Town of Corinth. 

1 own and tot. Area in acres. 

1. Sub. A, S. P’t.. 30 

1. Sub. B. 175 

1. Sub. C. 175 

2. Sub. 1, N. P’t, b’d S. by Isaac Carpenter or D. 

Martin. 503 

2. Sub. 2, S. P’t, b’d N. by P. or T. Tiffany...,,, 90 

Town of Day. 

Day: 

2. Sub. 3. 75 




Great Lot 4. 

Corinth : 

1. Sub. 2, ex. 160 a. S. end. 311 

Great Lot 6. 

1. Sub. K, N. P’t. 35 

Great Lot 8. 

2. B’d N. by E. Holden, E. and W. by lot lines and 

S. by j. B. Cruse ... 60 

PALMEB’S PUBCHASE. 

General Allotment. 

Day: 

25. All in Day. . 66 

26. Same. 290 

27. N. P’t of all in Day. 305 

30. All in Saratoga Co., ex. 500 a. S. E. cor. thereof. 509 

Middle Division. 

Great Lot 2. 

West Part, Bruce Tract. 

19. 141 

Sander’s Patent. 

Corinth : 

16. 

31 . 

32 . 



100 

87 

87 



















316 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 


Total number of acres 1,248.42. 

DETAILED STATEMENT. 

Lisbon Township. 

Mile Square Lots. 

Range 6. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

Lisbon: 

4 and 5. Sub. 1. 26-j- 

MACOMB’S PURCHASE. 

Great Tract 2. 

Township 1, “ Sherwood 
South West J. 

Colton: 

S. W. cor. 300 

Township) 4, “HarewoodT 
South East J. 

N. P’t 5,341 a. ex. 5,250 a. N. P’t thereof. 91 

Great Tract 3. 

Township 3. 

Middle -J-, Harison Tract. 

Pierrepont: 

8. Sub. 8 . 40 

14. Sub. 6. 53 

14. Sub. 8. 53 









on State Land Survey. 


317 


Township 9, “ SarahsburghS 
Section 11. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

Fine : 

E. and II. Clark, Cedar Lot, b’d N. by D. Ames, 

E. by L. A. Brown, S. by E. orT. Holland and 
W. by L. Ames... 7 

Brodie Tract. 

Township 11. 

Pitcairn: 

119. S. E. cor., b’d H. by James Thompson and W. by 

A. Harris. 83-mj- 

119 W P’t 104--? s 

12l! W.* P’t, b’d E. by E. M.‘ Luther*.^ *. ’.! 

123. E. P’t, b’d W. by Martin Luther. 

178. B’d beg on W. line of lot 10 c. S. from N. W. 
cor. thereof, th. S. 15 c., th. E. 36 c. to Havens 
Tract, th. N. 15 c. and th. W". 36 c. to beg. .. 54 

Township 12. 

East 

Fine: 

30. B’d N. by R. Bebee, E. by Town of Clifton, S. 
by Kellogg’s land or Colby and W. by Pitcher’s 
land or Pickett lot. 68 

Morris Tract. 

Moss Share. 

Macomb : 

60. 76 

Ogdensburgii City. 

Block 49. 

Oswegatchie: ft. 

2. 50x75 

Block 431. 

Whole. 

19,000 Acre Tract. 

Allotment 14. 

Depeyster: 

7.. • 77rV 5 











/ 


318 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


WARREN COUNTY. 


LIST OF 

LANDS BELONGING TO THE STATE. 

Total number of acres 11,669.25 

DETAILED STATEMENT. 

Town and lot. 

Hague: 

25. 

Brant Lake Tract, 


Dartmouth Patent. 

Stony Creek: 

8. S. E. cor 

Great Tract , Range 4. 

9. 

Range 5. 

Tburman: 

7. 

Range 6. 

Range 8. 

6. S. 4 and N. W. 4... 

6. N.E. i ... 

Stony Creek: 

3. S. W.J. 

Small Tract. 

Range 3. 

4. 

Range 4. 


5. N. end 


Area in acres. 

160 

62J 

234 

234 

176 

5SJ 

117 

234 

100 














on State Land Survey. 


319 


Ellis Patent. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

Hague: 

105. W. Ft b’d E. by J. and N. or J. S. N, Patchin. 85 

Gore Between Dartmouth Patent and Township 11, Totten 

and Crossfield’s Purchase. 

Thurman: 

3 . 160 

4 .:. 160 

5 . 160 

17. 160 

28. 160 

Gore Between Townships 29 and 31, Totten and Crossfield's 

Purchase. 

Johnsburgh : 

10 . 169 

11 . 169 

Gore South of Township 12. 

Totten and Crossfield’s Purchase, West of River. 

13. 164 

26. 164 

i 

Hague Tract. 

Hague: 

60. 184J 

Hyde Township. 

Thurman : 

17. On W. line 26 r. from S. W. cor., 160 r. long N. 

and S. and 50 r. wide E. and W. 50 

17. S, W. cor. 50 

39. Ex. 50 a. S. E. cor. and 80 a. S. W. cor. 370 

39. S. W. cor. 80 

Warrensburgh: 

64. Sub. 4. 61 

73. Sub. 3. 89 

74. Sub. 4. 197 

76. Sub. 3. 188 

78. Ex. 200 a. W. side. 300 

78. Ex. 326 a. E. side. 174 






















320 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


Jessup’s 7,550 Acre Patent. 

Town and lot. Area In acres. 

Luzerne: 

4. Sub. 1, b’d U. and S. by lot lines, E. by Griffin 

and W. by Morton. 100 

4. Sub. 2, b’d N. and S. by lot lines, E. by Griffin 

lieirs and "W. by Sam. Ramsey. 239 

5. Griffin lot, b’d H. and S. by lot lines, E. by 

Howe and W. by Lewis lot. 100 

Kayaderos8eras Patent. 

23d Allotment. 

G7‘eat Lot 5. 

3. B’d U. by Perkins’ lot, E’ly by Geo. Murray, S. 

by Murray, W. by Barker or Banker farm.... 50 

Luzerne Tract. 

11. 75 

94. U. i . 751- 

PALMER’S PURCHASE. 

General Allotment. 

Stony Creek: 

11. S. E. cor. 30 

Rear Division. 

Great Lot 1. 

Stony Creek : 

35. 160 

37 . 122 

38 . 160 

Thurman: 

59. 160 

60. All in Thurman. 102 

64. E. £, (acreage as heretofore) ... . 102 

69. Same. 102 

70. 160 

Great Lot 3. 

Stony Creek: 

U. £ of 3,150 a. S. P’t.1,575 

















on State Land Survey. 


321 


TOTTEN AND CROSSFIELD’S PURCHASE. 


Town and lot. 

J ohnsburgh: 

17. ... 

18 . ... 

19. ... 

20 . ... 
21 . ... 
22 . ... 
28 . ... 
29. ... 
58. ... 
60 . ... 


Township 11. 


Area in acres. 


300 

300 

300 

300 

300 

300 

300 

300 

300 

150 


Township 12. 

60. 166 

Township 14. 

North £ and South East Pond’s Survey. 

Residue of Township , 

. 132 

South West Leggett’s Survey. 

. 150 

. 112 

. 150 

Township 24. 

24. 

[Assem. Doc. No. 126.] 


8 . 

10 . 

14. 


41 


420 



















322 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


WASHINGTON COUNTY. 


. Total number of acres 310.50. 
DETAILED STATEMENT. 


Granville, Town of. 

Town and lot. 

Granville: 

B’d E. by Lansing Day’s Est., S. by Highway 
and W. by A. W. Topper. 


Area in acres 


Dresden : 

1 . 

50. 


South Bay Tract. 


1891 

120 


ADDENDA. 


CLINTON COUNTY. 


Saranac: 


GORES. 

Livingstone Gore. 


22. S. E. cor. 39 a. Ex. S. Ells 3 a. in S. E. cor. 10 a. 
b’d N. by 10 a. owned by A. Norris E. by lot 
line, S. by 3 a. owned Eells, and W. by 15 a. of 
McMurray, and 11 a. b’d N. by Farrell, and E. 
by Town line, S. by Allen and W. by Mc¬ 
Murray . 


15 










on State Land Sukvey. 


323 


RECAPITULATION. 

LIST OF STATE LANDS 

ACQUIRED BY TAX SALE OF 1881 . 


Acres. 

Clinton County. 11,402.78 

Essex County. 24,994.76 

Franklin County. 9,884.75 

Fulton County. 2,737.12 

Hamilton County. 93,316.91 

Herkimer County. 11,434.89 

Lewis County. 3,903.87 

Saratoga County. 4,687.00 

St. Lawrence County. 1,248.42 

Warren County. 11,669.25 

Washington County. 310.50 


Total 


175,590.25 


























































. 




































■ 



















APPENDIX D 








The following is a list of certain tax lands contained in the fore- 
going Appendix which, the Comptroller has officially notified me, 
are no longer State lands: 


CLINTON COUNTY. 


Old Military Tract. 
Township No. 4. 


Town and lot. Area in acres 

Saranac: 

15. E. f-ofS. i . 213J- 


Township No. 5. 


Ellen burgh : 

2. 

3 . 

4 . 

5 . 

6 . 

7... 

8. Ex. N. W. cor. 

9. S. end. 

10. S. end.*. 

11. S. i . 

12. S. end 84 a., ex. 20 a., S. W. cor. thereof. . 

28. S. end . 

29. Ex. 83 a. N. end. 

30. S. end N. \ . 

30. S. i . 

31 ... 

32 . 

33 . 

48. N. E. cor. 61£, S. E. cor. 61J. 

50. N. E. cor. 

51 .. 

52 . 

53 . 


196f 

2134 

213? 

2134- 

213? 

213? 

113 | 

1384 

146j 

106J 

64 

113| 

1304 

39f 

106f 

213 ^ 

2134 

213? 

122 -| 

98-f 

2134 

2134 

213f 



























326 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 
Township No. 5 — continued. 


Town and lot. 


Area in acres. 


54 . 

55 . 

56. Ex. 50 a. S. W. cor. 

57 . 

58 . 

59 . 

60 . 

61... 

62. 

63 . 

64 . 

65. Ex. 40 a. 1ST. W. cor. 

66. Ex. 100 a. S. end. 

68. N. E. cor. 

69. K Ft. 

69. S. P’t of 113J a., N. P’t. 

69. All of 634 a., W. P’t not contained in 1131 a-, 

N. P’t of lot.. 

69. All of 106 a., E. P’t of 169^- a., W. P’t not con¬ 
tained in 113|- a., R. P’t of lot... 

70. 


213-J- 
2131 
163J 
213J 
2131 
2134 

2m 

213I 

213 J- 
2134 
213? 
1691 
1134 
151 
63 ^ 
50 

9.0 6 9 


2131 


Clinton: 


Township No. 6. 


34. 1ST. W. cor., 94 r. wide N. and S., and 120 r. long 
E. and W . 


70 


Saranac: 


PlON PATENT. 


4. S. W. cor., b’d E. by Turner.. „. 

4. 1ST. E. \ Ex. 27 a. 17. E. cor. thereof. 

5. B’d N. by Lewis, E. by Turner and S. by lot 

line. 


7 

97 

25 


Altona: 
42. 


Duerville Patent. 


250 


Refugee Tract. 
420 a. Lots. 


191. E. i 


210 

































on State Land Survey. 


327 


ESSEX COUNTY. 

Old Military Tract. 

Township 1 and 2. 

Richard’s Survey. 

Town and lot. Area in acres. 

Keene: 

42. W. P’t. 100 

Township No. 11. 

North Elba: 

217. 200 

Township No. 12. 

Thorn’s Survey. 

22. S. £. 80 

59. S. \ . 80 

143. W. \ . 80 

Roaring Brook Tract. 

Elizabethtown: 

47. 260 

WARREN COUNTY. 

Palmer’s Purchase — Rear Division. 

Great Lot , No. 3. 

Stony Creek: 

N. i of 3,150 a. S. P’t.1,575 

FRANKLIN COUNTY. 

Old Military Tract. 

Township No. 10. 

220. 200 

293. 200 

354. 240 

Gore E. of Township No. 9, O. M. T. 

Bellmont: 

9. S. E. cor. 


30 













328 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


MaComb s Purchase. 
Great Tract No. 1. 
Township No. 23 ( S. E. £). 


Town and lot. Area in acres. 

N. end of 144 a., N. W. cor. Ill 

S. end of 144 a., N. W. cor. 33 


HAMILTON COUNTY. 


/ 


Totten and Crossfield’s Purchase. 


Township No. 37. 

Long Lake: 

13. .. 

33. 

71 . 

72 ... 

73 . 

74. .. 

75 . 

76 ... 

77 . 

78 ... 

79 . 

80 . 

81. 

82. 

95 . 

96 . 

97. . 

98 . 

99 . 

101 . 

102 .. 

103, . 

104 . 

105 . 

106 . 

112. 

113. .... 


160 

200 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

200 

203 

200 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

160 

200 

203 

240 

240 
































on State Land Survey. 329 

BERGEN’S PURCHASE. 

Patent No. 7. 

Town and lot. Area In acres. 

Wells : 

1. 270 

Oxbow Tract. 

Arietta: 

250. . 155 

HERKIMER COUNTY. 

Yrooman’s Patent. 

Wilmurt: 

9. All in Wilmurt, Ex. 60 a. W. end thereof. 74 

Jerseyfield Patent. 

Ohio : 

41. N. ^ ex. 50 a. S. E. cor. and 50 a. S. W. cor. 

thereof, resident land of David Hodge. 425 

FULTON COUNTY. 

Lott and Low’s Patent. 

Stratford: 

29. S. W. cor. 40 

Jerseyfield Patent. 

60. S. E. J, or S. E. cor. 250 

61. W. P’t, S. W. cor., or W. cor. 100 

[Assem. Doc. No. 126.] 42 













. 



















. 







' 

* 


























































APPENDIX E. 


LAWS RELATING TO THE ADIRONDACK 
REGION PASSED DURING 1883 . 

Chapter 13. 

An act to prohibit sales of lands belonging to the state in the coun¬ 
ties of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, 

Lewis, Saratoga, St. Lawrence and Warren. 

Passed February G, 1883. 

The People of the State of New York , represented in Senate 
and A ssembly , do enact as follows: 

Section 1. Hereafter and from the passage of this act no sales 
shall be made of lands belonging to the state situated in the counties 
of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, 
Saratoga, St. Lawrence and Warren. 

§ 2. Nothing in this act shall be construed as prohibiting the 
commissioners of the land office from conveying lands heretofore 
contracted to be sold, and not yet conveyed, to the purchasers thereof. 

Chapter 331. 

An act to protect the waters of Lake George and Schroon lake in 

this state. 

Passed April 27, 1883 ; tliree-fiftbs being present. 

The People of the State of New York , represented in Senate and 
Assembly , do enact as follows : 

Section 1. It shall not be lawful for any person or persons to 
drain, deposit, throw or cast any dead animal, carrion, offal, excre¬ 
ment, garbage or other putrid or offensive matter in the waters of 
Lake George and Schroon lake in this state; provided that nothing 
herein shall be construed to apply to the usual waste or drainage 
from factories. 

§ 2. Whoever shall violate any of the provisions of this act shall 
forfeit the sum of one hundred dollars for each offense. 

§ 3. Any person may in his own name, or in the name of himself and 
the overseers of the poor of the town, in which the offense is com¬ 
mitted, prosecute and recover the penalty prescribed in the next pre¬ 
ceding section for himself and the said overseers of the poor of said 
town, and, on a recovery, shall be entitled to retain one-half of said 
penalty, and the other half, after deducting one-half the expenses of 
the prosecution shall be paid to the overseers of the poor of said town 
for the support of the poor thereof. 

§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately. 



332 


Report of Verplanck Colvin 


Chapter 470. 

An act in relation to state lands. 

Passed May 25, 1883 ; tliree-fiftlis being present. 

The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and 
Assembly , do enact as follows : 

Section 1. Whenever the state of New York owns an undivided 
interest with any person in any real estate within this state, or holds 
and is in possession of any such real property, as joint tenant or ten¬ 
ant in common with any person within this state wdio has an estate of 
freehold therein, any such person may, upon obtaining the consent 
in writing of the comptroller thereto, maintain an action for the 
partition of said property according to the respective rights of the 
parties interested therein, and for a sale thereof if it appears that a 
partition cannot be made without great prejudice to the owners, in 
the same manner as if the state were not entitled to exemption from 
legal proceedings and with the same force and effect as in other 
cases, except no costs shall follow judgment thereon. A copy of 
the summons and complaint in such action shall be served upon the 
comptroller of the state and it shall be his duty to deliver the same 
to the attorney-general for proper appearance for the state. 

§ 2. In case any forest lands situated in the counties of Hamilton, 
Herkimer, St. Lawrence, Franklin, Essex, Clinton, Saratoga, Fulton 
or Lewis, in which the state is a joint owner or tenant in common 
with any person or persons, is sold in pursuance of a judgment of 
the court, as provided in section one of this act, the comptroller 
shall in behalf of the state attend the sale of said lands and purchase 
the same for the state, if said lands can, in the judgment of the 
comptroller, be purchased at their fair value. 

§ 3. For the purpose of paying for lands purchased upon parti¬ 
tion sales, as provided in section three of this act, the sum of ten 
thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby 
appropriated out of any funds of the state not otherwise appropriated, 
such sums to be paid by the treasurer of the state upon the warrants 
of the comptroller. In case the funds hereinbefore appropriated shall 
at the date of entry of a judgment of partition, as herein provided, 
be exhausted, the court shall, upon application of the attorney- 
general, direct that no sale be made until the expiration of two 
months after adjournment of the next session thereafter of the 
legislature. 

§ 4. The commissioners of the land office may, in their discretion, 
sell any lands which have been any part of the canal lands of this 
state and which have been or may be determined and officially de¬ 
clared by the canal board to be abandoned by the state for canal 
purposes, and also any lands to which the state has acquired title by 
purchase, on the foreclosure of mortgages taken by any loan com¬ 
missioner on the loan of certain United States deposit funds, or any 
loan of money authorized by this state, and also any lands lying 
within the corporate limits of any city or village and which has not 






on State Land Survey. 


333 


been devoted by statute to some public use. The commissioners 
of the land office shall have no power to lease any forest lands 
lying within the counties of St. Lawrence, Franklin, Lewis, Hamil¬ 
ton, Herkimer, Essex, Fulton, Saratoga and Warren. 

§ 5. The commissioners of the land office are hereby authorized 
to sell and convey at private contract and sale all the right, title and 
interest of the people of the state of Hew York to any lands in 
the county of Clinton, on such terms as shall be for the best interest 
ot the state; provided, however, that any such sale or sales shall be con¬ 
fined to lands from which the timber has been removed, and to actual 
settlers, and in tracts of not over two hundred acres in one parcel; 
and provided further such sales shall be confined to lands purchased 
for prison purposes. If any part of the price is unpaid at the time 
the grant is executed the payment of it with interest at the rate of 
six per cent per annum shall be secured by mortgage upon the. land 
sold, and upon default of payment thereof of principal or interest, 
then the said commissioners are hereby authorized to foreclose said 
mortgage by sale of said land. Ho sale under the provisions of 
this act shall be made, except upon the recommendation of the 
comptroller of this state. 

> 

Chapter 499. 

An act to provide for the survey of detached portions of state lands, 

in the north-eastern portion of Hew York and Adirondack wilder¬ 
ness, and making appropriation therefor. 

Passed June 2, 1883 ; tliree-fifths being present. 

The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate 
and Assembly do enact as follows : 

Section 1 . The superintendent of the Adirondack survey is hereby 
directed to make surveys showing the location and area of the de¬ 
tached portions of state lands in the counties of Clinton, Essex, 
Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Saratoga, St. Law¬ 
rence and Warren, and to connect the same with the surveys of the 
interior, and to show upon a map or maps the position of such 
lands. 

§ 2. The methods of surveys shall be in accordance with those 
now in use on the Adirondack survey, and copies of all maps relat¬ 
ing to such state lands shall be tiled in the office of the comptroller 
and state engineer and surveyor, and the said superintendent shall 
render a report to the legislature of his proceedings and of the re¬ 
sults of the work within sixty days after the meeting of the legisla¬ 
ture, and the sum of fifteen thousand dollars is hereby appropriated, 
payable by the state treasurer, on the warrant of the comptroller, 
out of any moneys not otherwise appropriated, for the purposes of 
carrying out the provisions of this act; which said sum shall be ac¬ 
counted for to the comptroller, with bills of items and vouchers 
therefor. 

§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately. 


334 



Report of Yerplanck Colvin 


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APPENDIX F .—{Concluded.) 


336 


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on State Land Survey. 


337 


TABLE OF THE VARIATION OF THE NEEDLE. 

For use in the Land Office at Pierrepont Manor in Jefferson 
County, New York, in Lat. -13° T3' 45" N., and Long. 75° 56' 57" AY.; 
and to apply to Great Tracts Nos. 4, 5 and 6 Macomb’s Purchase, 
which were surveyed and allotted from 1795 to 1803. 

Made 1S23, September 18, and 1856, November 25 : 

By William C. Pierrepont. 

Variation : Yearly, 5' 14''. 4367: Daily, 0". 86107.* 


1797. 

October 1, 

no variation. 

o 

/ 

// 





O 

/ 

// 

1797. 

November 

25, var. 

W.... 

0 

00 

48.24 

1840. 

November 25 

var. 

w.... 

3 

46 

09.10 

1801. 

do 

do 

• • • • 

0 

21 

45.99 

1841. 

do 

do 

.... 

3 

51 

23.54 

1802. 

do 

do 

• • • • 

0 

27 

00.43 

1842. 

do 

do 


3 

56 

37.98 

1803. 

do 

do 

r • • • 

0 

32 

14.87 

1843. 

do 

do 


4 

01 

52 42 

1804. 

do 

do 

. . . 

0 

37 

29.30 

1844. 

do 

do 

• • • • 

4 

07 

06.86 

805. 

do 

do 


0 

42 

43.76 

1845. 

do 

do 

.... 

4 

12 

21.30 

1806. 

do 

do 

• • • 

0 

47 

58.17 

1846. 

do 

do 


4 

17 

35.74 

1811 

do 

do 


1 

14 

10.35 

1847. 

do 

do 

.... 

4 

22 

50.18 

1816. 

do 

do 

• • • • 

1 

40 

22.54 

1848. 

do 

do 

.... 

4 

28 

04.62 

1820. 

do 

do 

• • • • 

2 

01 

20.30 

1849. 

do 

do 

.... 

4 

33 

19.06 

1821. 

do 

do 

• • • • 

2 

06 

34.74 

1850. 

do 

do 

.... 

4 

38 

33.50 

1822. 

do 

do 

.... 

2 

11 

49.19 

1851. 

do 

do 

.... 

4 

43 

47.94 

1823. 

do 

do 

» . . t 

2 

17 

03.62 

1852. 

do 

do 


4 

49 

02.38 

1824. 

do 

do 

.... 

2 

22 

18.06 

1853. 

do 

do 

.... 

4 

54 

16.82 

1825. 

do 

do 

... 

2 

27 

32.05 

1854. 

do 

do 

.... 

4 

59 

31 26 

1826. 

do 

do 

.... 

• 2 

32 

46.94 

1855. 

do 

do 

.... 

5 

04 

45.70 

1827. 

do 

do 

.... 

2 

28 

01.38 

1856. 

do 

do 

.... 

5 

10 

00.14 

1828. 

do 

do 

. • • • 

2 

43 

15 82 

1857. 

do 

do 

. . . 

5 

15 

14.58 

1829. 

do 

do 


2 

48 

30 26 

1858. 

do 

do 

.... 

5 

20 

29.02 

1830. 

do 

do 


2 

53 

44 70 

1859. 

do 

do 

.... 

5 

25 

43.46 

1831. 

do 

do 


2 

58 

59.14 

1860. 

do 

do 

.... 

5 

30 

67.90 

1832. 

do 

do 


3 

04 

13.53 

1861. 

do 

do 

. . . 

5 

36 

12.34 

1833. 

do 

do 

.... 

3 

09 

28.02 

1862. 

do 

do 

.... 

5 

41 

26.78 

1834. 

do 

do 

.... 

3 

14 

42.46 

1863. 

do 

do 

.... 

5 

47 

41.22 

1835. 

do 

do 

.... 

3 

19 

56 90 

1864. 

do 

do 

.... 

5 

52 

55.65 

1836. 

do 

do 


3 

25 

11 34 

1865. 

do 

do 


5 

58 

10.10 

1837. 

do 

do 


3 

3C 

25.78 

1866. 

do 

do 

.... 

6 

03 

24.54 

1838. 

do 

do 

.... 

3 

35 

40.22 

1874. 

do 

do 


6 

44 

00.00 

1839. 

do 

do 

.... 

3 

40 

54.66 









Note.—T he only actual observations preserved are 1823, September 18.. 2 C 

1847, 18.. 4 

1856, November 25.. 5 

1860, July 15.. 5 

1863, 15.. 5 

1864, April 12.. 5 

1865, May 4.. 6 

Theodolite records only to minutes.. 1874, 6 


16 / 05" 

23 
10 
36 
44 
50 
00 
44 


* Regents’ report. 

[Assem. Doc. No. 126.] 


43 " 





















































































































































































































































. 














' 






























































INDEX. 


A. 

PAGE. 

Age of trees on boundary lines.... 42 


Alainville. 132 

Albany county, ancient. 120 

Algonquin Indians. 133 

Allen, Hon. W. F. 65-68 

Allotments, double systems, conflict¬ 
ing discovered. 34 

Ampersand Mt.138 

Ancient corner tree.124 

Ancient Indian church. 17 

Ancient records, searches made.... 7-8 
Ancient spruce tree.114 


Appendix A. 

Summary of area State lands .... 188 


Appendix B. 

List of State lands. 189 

Appendix C. 

Lands acquired by the State under 
tax sale of 1881. 1 

Appendix D. 

Lands released by the State. 325 

Appendix E. 

Laws of 1883 affecting Adirondack 
region. 331 

Appendix F. 

Magnetic observation... - .... 334 

Appropriations insufficient. 183 

Arago, M. 171 

Area of Adirondack forest. 182 

Arnold, D. M. 153 

Arthurborough, line of. 61-63 

Aspens, second growth. 20 

Astronomical observations.99, 102 

Atmosphere, haziness of. 15 

Attesting of lines, how done. 7 

Attorney-General. 66 

Averill, Jr., H. K.. 10, 17, 23-25,69-73 

Azimuth of county line ... . 108 

Azure, Mount.17, 18, 140 

variation of needle. 18 

“ height of Mt. Azure. 18 


B. 

PAGE. 

Bald hill, near Gransliue line. 145 

Barhydt hill.'. 98 

Base-line measured.103-106 

Base-lines measured on ice of Lake 

George.152 

Batteau constructed. 40 

Bayard, William. 83 

Beard, Francis. 93 

Bellmont. 23 

Benson township, boundary. 113 

Benson township, south-west corner. 116 

Benson township. 10 

Benson township. 51 

Bergen’s purchase. 118 

Bronson, lands of. 101 

Birch hill, signal station. 73 

Black creek. 92 

Black Creek lake. 61 

Black river sources. 168 

Blake, M., assistant.49, 74 

Blocks, proof-blocks taken from 

trees. 42 

Bog mountain. 13, 145 

Bog, The foot of, variation of needle 

at. 13 

Boon, Garret. 94 

Boonville. 14 

“ 49 

Boundaries, proof of. 42 

Brayliouse corner(& line). 49-62. 94-116 
Broad well, Henry. 94 


c. 


Canaan, signal station. 73 

Caldwell tract. 34, 63 

Camp in the snow. 162 

Canadian boundary line. 16 

Canadian lines connected with. 16 

Canals, water supply for.168 

Cedar lakes . 129 

Character of State lands. 26-31 

Charlotte county. 120 

Chase’s, Loon lake. 19 

Chateaugay Iron Company. 65 

Chateaugay iron mines. 25 









































































340 


Index. 


page. 

Cliateaugay lake. 21 

Cliateaugay, Indian point. 22 

Cliateaugay lakes . 75 

Church, at St. Regis,ancient Indian. 17 

Clear pond, Gransliue. 145 

Clinton county ..10,22, G4 

Clinton, George, Governor. 52 

Clinton prison.. 67 

Clinton county, rain-fall.. 176, 177, 179 

Cochran, R. 68 

Colden, Alexander, Surveyor-Gene¬ 
ral. 94 

Colonial surveys. 7 

Colton, St. Lawrence county. 13 

Colton, variation of needle. 13 

Comptroller, letter of. 65 

Comptroller, information from .... 4 

Comptroller, surveys desired by 

him. ..5, 6 

Comptroller, correspondence with.. 5 

Comptroller, views of. 34 

Comptroller, wishes of. 87 

Conclusion . 182 

Conflicting allotments. 34 

Correspondence. 9 

Crauberry lake.144 

Crandall, S. B... 10, 13, 144 

Contracts for work. 9 

Cosby’s manor. 83 

Crataegus Crus-galli . 87 

Crutzenberger, Coenradt. 93 

D. 

Danger to life and property. 33 

Dartmouth, Earl of.34, 118 

Davenport, Hon. Ira.5, 6 

Davis, N., surveyor.128 

De Bar mountain. 17, 138 

Declination of the magnetic needle. 

(See last Appendix.) 

Deer abundant. ... 145-147 

Dense fogs near River St. Law¬ 
rence . 15 

De Line’s lake. 57 

Details of measurements. 32 

De Witt, Simeon, Surveyor-Gene¬ 
ral .51, 52, 133 

De Witt tract. 86 

Dexter lake. 56 

District Attorney Steele. 33 

Documents referred to..... 8 

Drag-chain.. 44 

Drowning of lands. 19 

Duane, Franklin county. 19 

Dust-haze. 163 

E. 

East Canada creek.55, 57 

East Stony creek.123 

Elevations.21, 165, 166 

Electricity, atmospheric. 170 


trees act as conductors. 170 


PAGE. 

Ellenburgh, town of. 71 

Ellenburgli, assessments in. 71 

Ellenburgh, order of Supreme 

Court. 71 

Elizabethtown, rain-fall.178 

Emelyville township, State lands in. 143 

Errors in records. 7 

Essex county. 10, 132 

Evidence of Hon. A. B. Steele .... 33 

Eyles, Sir Joseph. 34 

F. 

Farnsworth, S. J. 10, 15, 26 

Featherstoneliaugh, Mr. 68 

Field work. 11 

First lake. 44 

Fish creek. 57 

Fleming, George.68-74 

Forests, condition of.26-31 

Forests, how they affect the rain¬ 
fall . 168 

Forestport.11-49 

Forest roads, bad condition of. 50 

Forest surveyors, skilful. 7 

Francisco, J.‘. 10, 49, 52, 113-128 

Franklin county.10, 137 

French seignories.132 

Fias, Peter . 93 

Free Masons patent. 83 

Frederick, Peter... 93 

Fulton county.... .10, 112 

Fulton county State lands. 35 


Fulton and Herkimer counties. ... 10 

Gr. 


Gage, Thomas.94, 95 

Galienger, Michael. 93 

Gallien, Hon. Henry. 66 

General observation.26-31 

Gere, R. H. 53 

Giant mountain. 134 

Glacial drift. 16 

Glen, Bleecker & Lansing patent... 51 

Glen, Bleecker & Lansing pur¬ 
chase ; north-west corner...116 

Glens Falls feeder. 168 

Glen, Henry.34,51, 52 

Glen, John. 118 

Glover, D. F., transit-man. 74 

Gold mines. 35 

Gommer hill.14, 92 

Grand jury, evidence before. 33 

Gransliue, St. Lawrence county... 13 

Gransliue township, State lands in. 143 
Grant, village of. 12 

II. 

Hail, remarkable hail-storm. 170 

Hail, evidences of,years afterward. 171 
Hamilton county..10, 112 






























































































Index. 


341 


PAGE. 

Hamilton, Mount. 45 

Hammond, Hon. John.. 66 

Hanging-lakes.172 

Hannah-Murray map. 65 

Hawkins, C. R., transit-man. 89 

Haziness of atmosphere. 15 

Hendrick, King of six nations..... 35 

Herkimer county.81, 82 

Herkimer county line. 12 

Conclusions. . 110 

Facts found.Ill 

Herkimer county line, survey of, de¬ 
sired by Comptroller. 6 

Herkimer county District Attorney. 33 

High-dune. 97 

Hipp, George. 93 

Hipp, Stephen. 93 

Hohen-rauch, impediment to long 

sights in triangulation.163 

Holland, Henry Lord.95 

Hoquart. 132 


1 . 

% 

Identification of lines. 7 

Illustrations.137 

Illustrations, list of.185, 186 

Impartial surveys. 34 

Indian Church at St. Regis (an¬ 
cient) . 17 

Indians, remnants of the six na¬ 
tions .15, 16 

Instruments. 8-9 

Instruments, care required. 50 

Iron mines. 25 

Iroquois, last of the. .15-16 

Islands in Lake George owned by 

the State. 151 

Island in West Canada creek. 39 

Island (initial point north line Jer¬ 
sey field patent). 39 


J. 


K. 

PAGE. 

Keene Valley, rain-fall.174-179 

Keep, George. 93 

Kellogg, S. D. 77, 134 

Kelley, Lorin, Surveyor 10, 36, 43, 

45, 113 

King, Hendrick. 35 

Koetteritz, J. B.. .. 10, 24, 38, 39, 50 

L. 

Lake George, base-line measured 


on the ice. 152 

Lake George, State lands at, and 

Islands in. 150 

Lakes, location of, useful in identi¬ 
fying boundaries. 37 

Law governing boundaries. 83 

Lawlessness. 33 

Lawrence, Jonathan... 34 

Lawrence, North Lawrence. 18 

Lawrence patent. 10 

Lawrence tract. 114, 115 

Lawrence tract, south-east corner.. 116 

Leake, Robert. 118 

Leffert, Dierk. 118 

Leman, Lawrence . 94 

Lewis county line, Survey of, de¬ 
sired by Comptroller. 6 

Lewis county line. 14 

Lewis and Herkimer Co. 10 

Lewis county. 81-82 

Link, Matthias. 94 

List of islands in Lake George. 154-156 

List of State lands. 4 

Little Falls. 44 

Livingston, Philip. 118 

Local attraction of needle. 46 

Local attraction of needle. 84 

Location of State lands.26-31 

Locke, G. L. 10, 134 

Loon lake, height of. 21 

Low, Isaac. 118 

Lowville, Lewis Co. 90 

Luzerne. 118 

Lyon Mountain.25, 76 


Jerseyfield patent, Comptroller’s 

views. ... 6 

Jerseyfield patent, details of meas¬ 
urements . 32 

Jerseyfield lake. 47, 48-49 

Jerseyfield line. 10 

Jerseyfield, Mount. 45 

Jerseyfield patent, north line, con¬ 
clusions. 59 

Jerseyfield patent, facts found by 

survey.62-63 

Jerseyfield patent, north-east cor¬ 
ner. 116 

Johnson, C. W. M. 72 

Johnson, Sir William Bart. 34 

Jones, Griffith.10, 38, 50 

Journal. 11 


M. 


Magnetic Iron. 25 

Magnetic Variation. (See last Ap- 
peudix.) 

Malone. 141 

Mann, Charles A. 94 

Map, Hannah Murray’s. 65 

Maps, prepared. 8 

Matchin tract. 86 

Matteson, Mount. 45 

Meteorology. 168 

Miller, Peter. 93 

Miller, Rutger B., Jr. 67 

Mitchell, Medad. 149 

Moore, Sir Henry, Baronet, Captain- 
General and Governor. 93 


























































































342 


Index. 


PAGE. 

Mooreliouseville. 12 

“ variation of needle at. 12 

Moose River. 14, 107 

Moose River Tract. 10, 128 

Mooseliead Mountain. 13 

Molecular condition of atmosphere 169 

Monument, reference. 42 

Mordant, Joseph. 94 

Morgan, Thomas. 94 

Mosscrop, A. M. 89, 50 

Mount’s lake. 44 

Mt. Hamilton. 45 

Mt. Jersey field. 45 

Mt. Jersey field, height of. 45 

Mt. Jersey field, latitude and lon¬ 
gitude. 45 

Mt. Matteson. 45 

Murray, Hannah. 65 

Myer’s clearing.90-91 

Myer’s Hill.92, 97 

N. 

Narrative (abstract). .. 11 

New Survey, T. No. 5. 64 

Nobleborough, line of. .61-63 

North-branch, lake of Black Creek 44 

Northrop, E. F. 50 

Norton, John L.67, 70, 71 

o. 

Old colonial records. 93 

Old military tract ... 64, 133 

Oneida county line.85-86 

Organization . 10 

Osgood pond. 140 

Osgood pond, height of. 21 

Owl-crest . 138 

Oxbow lake. 12 

Oxbow tract. 61 

P. 

Palmer’s purchase. 118 

Palmer’s purchase, diagrams .. 121-122 
Palmer’s purchase, conclusions.... 126 

Palmer’s purchase, facts found .... 127 

Palmer, Thomas. 118 

Paragrele, not efficacious. 171 

Pen mount, Oneida county. 90 

Pirogues (canoes). 17 

Piseco lake. 12 

Plattsburgh. 26,176,177, 179 

Phelps’(Mt. Azure). 17 

Phelps, Mount. 136 

Photographic work. 14 

Platt, Zephaniah.133 

Pleasant, Lake. 12 

Potsdam . 13 

Prison, Clinton. 67 

Pritchard hill, Oneida county. 89 

Pyon, signal station. 73 



PAGE. 

Ragged lake. .22-23 

Ragged lake, variation of needle .. 23 

Ragged lake, height of. 23 

Railroads, new. 35 

Rainbow lake. 21 

Rain-fall. 167 

Rain-fall, causes of. 168-169-170 

Rain-fall, increase with altitude-179 

Rain-fall records. 174-175-176-177-178- 

179-180-181 

Rannion, Samuel.. 93 

Ransom, Lewis.*. 69 

Reconnaissance difficult. 98 

Red snow. 162 

Refraction, irregular. 15 

Remsen, Oneida county. 89 

Remsen, Peter. 118 

Reservation, St. Regis.15-16 

Reservation, area of.. 16 


Reservation, reference monument. 16 
Resolution of the Senate and As¬ 


sembly .. 85 

Richards, John. 136 

Roaring brook tract.134-135 

Rocket signals. 99 

Rogers, Edmund Law. 65, 66-67 

Rogers, C. M. L. 66 

Rogers, deed made by.66-67 

Rogersfield.25-26 

Royal grant. 34 

Rules of work. 4 

Rupert, Adam.. 93 

Russell, Michael. 93 


s. 


Sackett’s Harbor railroad. 38 

Sacondaga river. 118 

Salisbury . 49 

Sambucus Canadensis . 87 

Sanborn hill, signal station. 73 

Saranac, north branch. 19 

Saranac lakes. 141 

Saratoga county. 11 

Saratoga county. 112 

Sauthier ; Claude, Joseph. 124 

Seignories, French.132 

Senate committee on State lands .. 12 

Servis, Peter. 93 

Servis, Jr., Peter. 93 

Service’s patent. 83-86-87 

Service’s patent. 95 

Service’s patent, N. W. corner .... 96 

Service’s patent, lot No. 8. 100 

Shafer, Nicholas. 93 

Signal work... 11 

Signal Mt. Azure.18, J9 

Signaling by rockets. 99 

Sickels tract. 34 

Simms, John. 94 

Six nations, their last reservation. 15-16 
Sixteen mile level.18-19 




































































































Index. 


343 


PAGE. 

Sickel’s tract. C3 

Smith, C. H. 50 

Smith’s, Paul. 141 

Smith, Hon. W. E. 71 

Snell, S. H.10, 12, 38, 89 

Snell, S. S.39-40 

Snow, red. 162 

Snyder, Andreas. 93 

Sources of the rivers. 173 

Sphagnum. 172 

Springs, peculiar. 172 

Spruce-duff.172 

Spruce tree corner . 58 

Spruce replaced by monument.... 58 

St. Lawrence county.10, 143 

St. Lawrence, signal station.16-26 

St. Regis lake, height of. 21 

St. Regis reservation. 14 

St. Regis, variation of magnetic 

neediest. 14 

Stam, George. 94 

State lands, condition of and value 

of.26-31 

State lands, neglect of. 1S3 

State lands, summary of. 188 

State lands, detailed statement by 

counties.189 

Statute governing boundaries. 83 

Steele, Hon. A. B. 33 


Stink lakes.... 


Stoner’s lakes. 

. 57 

Storms, cause of. 

. 169 

Steuben, Baron. 

. 95 

Survev parties, list of. 

. 10 

Surveyors, colonial.... 

. 36 

Surveys desired by the Comptrol- 

ler. 

.. 65 

Surveys, impartial. 

. 34 

Sweet, H. D. L. 

.65, 68 

T. 


Table-top mountain.... 

. 136 

Tappen, Cornelius.... 

.68, 133 

Tax laws, defects in... 

. 20 

Tioga river. 

. 37 

Theodolites, large. 

.161 

Tibbit, Moses. 

... 93 

Timber, depredations 

on State 

lands. 

. 33 

Toilsome experiences.. 

.. 107 

Topographical surveys 

desired by 

Comptroller. 

. 6 


Totten and Crossfield’s purchase. 10, 128 
Township 5, old military tract, 

(Comptroller’s views). 6 

Township No. 5. 10 

Township No. 5, O. M. T. 70 

Township No, 5, real dimensions.. 78 


PAGE. 

Township No. 5, conclusions rela¬ 


tive to. 78 

Township No. 5, facts found. 79 

Trees discharge the electricity of 

the clouds. 171 

Trees, deciduous.172 

Triangulation. 11,14, 25, 26, 158 

Triangulation, new signal stations, 

159, 160 

Triangulation, primary. 10 

Triangulation, secondary. 10 

Try on county.120 

Tryon, Governor William. 119 

Tug Hill. 92 


u. 

Unoccupied lands.60-63 

V. 

Value of State lands. .26, 31, 60, 61, 151 

Variation of the needle.12, 46, 108 

109, 140, 141, 149, 151, 334, 337 

Veder, Lucas. 93 

Vrooman, Isaac. 34, 37, 51, 114 

Vrooman’s lake. 114 

Vrooman, Lawrence.51,114, 126 

Vrooman’s patent. 10 


w. 


Wall, lands of. 101 

Wardner, S. 11 

Warren, A. G. 50 

Warren county.,.11,112, 150 

Water-ash tree corner.95-100 

Weed, Hon. S. M. 66 

W^est Canada creek. 37 

West Canada lakes. .. 128-129, 130 

W r est, Johannes. 93 

Westport. 133 

Wild animals met with. 54 

Wilcox lake. 123 

Wilmurt corners. 43 

Wilmurt, Herkimer county, line 

of.39-43 

Wind, how affected by trees. 169 

Wind-slash. 145 

Witnesses, evasions of. 33 

Wooden-soil.106, 172 

Wolves seen. 147 

Work desired by Comptroller. 65 

Y. 

Yates, Christopher. 118 






















































































GREAT SLIDE MT. 


SABLE MT. 



UTH.BY WEED, PARSONS Sc CO. ALBANY.N.Y. 


WESTWARD f FROM BASIN MOUNTAIN. 












































NORTON PEAK 
DICKSONS ISLAND 


HILL^TOWARDS RAGGED LAKE 


THIRD HILL COLO STREAM PASS THOMAS' POINT 


SECONC 1 HILL 


RALPHS FIRST HILL 


LYON MT. 


LITH.BY WEED, PARSONS 8c CO. ALBANY, N.Y. 


DRAWN BY VERPLANCK COLVIN 


FROM NEAR THE OUTLEf, 


SHOWING 


CHARACTER OF LANDS IN TOWNSHIP 5 


OF OLD MILITARY TRACT. 














































NORTH RIVr.R MT. 
3758 


NORTH 


CHENEY COBBLE 


MT. REDPIELO 
4588 


MT.SKYUGHT MT. MARCY 
MT. ALLEN 4889 5344 


PANTHER GORGE HAYSTACK MT. BASIN MT. SADDLE MT. GOTHICS 

4918_4905_4536 4744 


MT. COLVIN MT. HILGARO. 

4142 


N.E. 


BOREAS RANGE 

BOREAS MT. 

3726 


RAGGED MT. 
EAST 


SANO POND. 


BLUE RIDGE 

MT. SCARRON 


E.S.E. 


— 




LITH BY WEED. PARSONS & CO .ALBANY,N.Y. 


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HIGH PEAKS OF THE ADIRONDACKS 

FROM LA BIERS ON BOREAS RIVER. 


DRAWN BY W. VAN LOAN. 




















































PITCHOFF MT. 


SABLE MT. 
Cascade Falls. 


MT. PORTER. 


GOTHIC MTS. 
4744 


SADDLE MT. 

4536 


BASIN MT. 
4905 







MOUNT MARCY 
5344 




MT. COLDEN 
4753 





MAC INTYRE RANGE 

MT. ALGONQUIN MT.CLINTON 
MT. IROQUOIS 4937 


INDIAN PASS. WALLFACE MT. 
2937 3893 


MT. STREET 


MT. SEYMOUR 


MT. VON DORIEN 


MT. AMPERSAND 
3432 









MOUNT WRIGHT 


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HIGH PEAKS OF THE ADIRONDACKS. 

FROM AMES' NORTH ELBA, ESSEX CO. 


LITH BY WEED. PARSONS & CO .ALBANY N.Y. 
























































ELBA 


MT. PCRTER. 


CASCADE LAKE 


VALLEY 


ADIRONDACKS from top of MT. HURRICANE 

3763 FEET ELEVATION. 


GIANT 


HUNTERS PASS 


RANGE 


GIANT 


GREEN MTS. IN VERMONT 


MACOMB 

MT. DIX 
4916 


RANGE 


NIPPLE TOP 
4684 


ELK PASS 


MT. COLVIN 
4142 


SAW TEETH MT. 
AU SABLE PASS 


GOTHIC MTS. 
4744 


SADDLE MT. 
4536 


MARCY 

BASIN MT. 
4906 


S.S.W. 


S.W. 


RANGE 

TAHAWUS on MT. MARCY 
5344 


MT. PHELPS 


MT. COLDEN 
4783 


MAC INTYRE RANGE 

MT. ALGONQUIN MT. WRIGHT 

BIG SLIDE MT. 


MT. STREET 


SABLE MT. 


PITCHOFF MT. 
WEST. 


KEENE MT. 


MACKENZIE MT. 
3789 


MT.WHITEFACE 

4871 


PACK HORSE MT. 


N.N.W. 


LITH. BY WEED, PARSONS & CO. ALBANY, N Y. 


DRAWN BY W. VAN LOAN 


Vi •> 








































































74 00 


73° ' 55 


7TT 


44°55 


^ STA IE LAJVl > 

VERPLANCK COLVIN, 

SUPERINTENDENT. * 

MAP 

SHOWING THE LOCATION 

or THE 

BOUNDAEIES OF TOWNSHIP FIVE 

IN THE 

OLD MILITARY TRACT 

CLINTON COUNTY 


AND THE 


ADJACENT PORTION OF 


franklin county. 


CHATEAUGAY aNC CHAZY LAKES. 

SCALE 1:40,000. 




NOTE. 

This map has been prepared to shoiu the true location of 
the boundaries of township Five in the Old Military 
Tract, and the location of the State Lands therein. The 
old surveys were quite erroneous in their estimate of the 
dimensions of the toumship, making it a rectangular tract 
if one hundred square miles area. 

The present survey, by retracing the northern and west- 
' m boundaries of the township, and by measurements 
reviously made along the southern and eastern sides 
iereof—all of the new lines having been run with transit, 
nd carefully measured to the marked trees of the Old 
■ Survey—proves the township to have an average breadth 
[north and south) of 10.32 statute miles, and an average 
length of about 11.03 statute miles (east and west), the 
real area being 113.88 square miles or 32,886 acres. 

The Declination of the Needle is so greatly affected by 
{he presence of magnetic iron, in this section, that no aver¬ 
se value can be given for this magneticforce. 

The latitudes and longitudes of the principal stations 
have been carefully computed by the Superintendent, from 
his field observations, and form the basis of the map pro¬ 
jection. 

The map has been reduced and redrawn in the office of 
the survey at Albany, from the original map, and field 
notes of H. K. Averill,fr. Assistant, by whom the boun¬ 
daries of the Township were relocated. Additional data 
has also been used to show the included and adjacent 
territory. 

The allotment shown is that known as the ' ‘old survey," 
the only boundaries existing upon the ground. These 
‘ 'old survey'' lot lines are dotted. The proposed sub-divi¬ 
sions for the new allotment, required for the partition of 
the property, are indicated by fine solid lines, cutting the 

The interior of the township has not been re-surveyed, 

appropriation not being sufficient to meet the expense of 



4 50 






















































44 


44°4f 1 



44 45 


DRAWN BY VERPLANCK COLVIN. 74/00 


O I / 

73 '45 PHOTO-LITH FROM C R I G , N A L BY W EED. PARSONS 8 CO . ALB AN Y. N Y 




























































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































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PHOTO-LITH. FROM THE ORIGINAL BY WEED,PARSONS & CO .ALBANY.N.Y 


DRAWN OY VERPLANCK COlVI 



























































































































































































































































































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x oi* STATE LAJ ® %>, 

VERPLANCK COLVIN, f 

SUPERINTENDENT. 

MAP 

SHOWING THE LOCATION 

OF THE 

NORTH WEST CORNER OF TOWNSHIP NUMBER THREE, 

IN 

TOTTEN AND CROSSFIELD’S PURCHASE 

ON THE 

BOUNDARY OF TOWNSHIP NUMBER EIGHT 

MOOSE RIVER TRACT 

INCLUDING THE 

WEST CANADA LAKES. 


nmnsn 


Scale—1:15,840, or 1 inch:20 chains. 

CHAINS. 

==F 


l Mum: 


20 it j, 0 

KILOMETRES. 

"T^THH.TBiTTUi imbmi 


■F .* .3- i y i) 

STATUTE MILES. 


DECLINATION OF THE NEEDLE 9° 54' WEST 
AT TIIE MIDDLE WEST CANADA LAKE. 
JULY 9th, 1882. 


NOTE. 

THE DECLINA TION OF THE NEEDLE at the Middle West Canada Lake 
was found to be 9 a 5ffr IF. July 9th, 1882. 

The North West Corner of Township No. 3, in Totten & Crossfield's Purchase is 
304.10 chains N. 27° 30' W. (average magnetic bearing in 1882.) from the stone vtonu 
merit at the north east comet of Township 9 in Use Moose Fiver Tract . _ This line is 
quite irregular in its course, but the above bearing followed it closely in 1882. An 
average azimuth can be obtained by adding the declination of the needle to the above 
bearing. 

The following topographical features permanently locate the position of the west line 
of Totten & Crossfield's Purchase and the North West Comer of Township No. 3. 

(/) The east bay of Lake Low (or Whitney Lake ) is 6.S0 chains S. 60° W. (magnetic 
1882 ) from the Patent line. 

(2) The West Canada Lakes were connected with said Patent line by the following 
survey ; viz: 

Commencing at a Balsam tree, about ten inches in diameter, standing in the West 
line of Totten & Crossfield's Purchase, 3 chains N. 27° so' W. of the East Inlet of the 
easternmost of the West Canada Lakes, at the sources of the West Canada Creek, and 71 
chains S. 27 0 30' E. from the North West comer of Township No 3 in Totten & Cross- 
field’s purchase ; the said Balsam tree being marked A on the accompanying map : 

Thence S. 63 0 00' W., 65.it chains to station B, near the east shore of the easternmost 
West Canada Lake ; 

Thence N. 27 0 00' W., 5 chains to station C, on the shore of said Lake ; 

Thence S. 63° 00' W., 39.it chains to station D, on the south west shore; 

Thence S. 78° oo' W., 34. ti chains to station E, at the east shore of South Lake ; 

Thence N. 27“ 00' W., 37.41 chains to station F, on the shore of the south east bay of ' / 
the Middle West Canada Lake ; 

Thence N. /8° 15' E., 2.20 chains to station G, (on the large rock called the “ Devils’ 
Chair"), shore of the Middle Lake ; 

Thence N. 64° 30' W., 55.04 chains to station H, at the west end of said Lake ; 

Thence N. 50° oo' W., 40.00 chains to station I, on shore of Brook Trout Lake. 

The reverse course and distance from the east shore of East Lake B to A will enable 
any one to find the Patent line at this point. 

Surveyed by J. Francisco, R. H. Gere Assistant, 1883. 

The West line of Township 3, was retraced by Nathan Davis, 1882. 

Map drawn in the Office of the Survey from the field-notes. 


m 


35 


DRAWN BY VERPLANCK COLVIN. 


74 35 


PHOTO • LITH. FROM THE ORIGINAL BY WEED. PARSONS 8 CO .ALB ANY. N V 

























































































































































STATE LAND 


TERPLANCK COLVIN 


SUPER! NTENDBNT. 


MAP 


mm 


GREAT LOTS FOUR AND FIVE 


wMm 


REAR DIVISION 


PALMER’S PURCHASE 


Scai.E = 1 : 20,000 

CHAINS. 


8TATUTE MILES. 




DRAWN BY TERPLANCK COLVIN. 


PHOTO-UTHOGRAPHED FROM THE ORIGINAL.—ALBANY, 18M. 
WEED,PARSONS ft CO . 













































































































































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